With the PVL on a break, Creamline, Cignal, Akari, and PLDT are taking the time to rest, recover, and prepare for the 2024-2025 All-Filipino Conference.
It’s offseason time for the PVL, meaning that teams will have a chance to get a breather and start fresh come the new season in November.
But looking ahead to what is expected to be an extended All-Filipino Conference, how are PVL teams shaping up with squads likely to be at full strength?
Here’s a quick review and outlook of some of the title-contending teams in the league.
Creamline Cool Smashers
2024 All-Filipino Conference: Champions
2024 Reinforced Conference: Champions
2024 Invitational Conference: Champions
The Cool Smashers are definitely on a high after accomplishing the historic grand slam.
After battling it out in the Reinforced and Invitational Conferences, which were just a week apart, Creamline will use this offseason to rest and recover.
The scary part? Expect superstars Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos to be back in action for the 10-time PVL champions next season.
[ALSO READ: Creamline's Alyssa Valdez eyes return to 100% health in time for new PVL season]
That’s why it won’t be hard to assume that the Cool Smashers will easily be the title favorites to win the All-Filipino crown, and maybe even go for another grand slam.
[ALSO READ: Coolest Queens: Meet the MVPs behind Creamline’s PVL championship dynasty]
Cignal HD Spikers
2024 All-Filipino Conference: 6th place
2024 Reinforced Conference: 3rd place
2024 Invitational Conference: Runner-up
This past PVL season was full of heartbreaks for the HD Spikers after coming close to the title twice.
Standing in their way in both conferences were eventual champions, the Cool Smashers.
[ALSO READ: PVL: MJ Perez grateful for opportunity to return to PH despite Cignal’s heartbreaking defeats in past two conferences]
With the offseason in full swing, Cignal will look to make a quick mental and physical recovery and put it all together this time, hoping to bring home their first-ever PVL title.
Akari Chargers
2024 All-Filipino Conference: 7th place
2024 Reinforced Conference: Runners-up
2024 Invitational Conference: Skipped
The Chargers made a giant leap during the Reinforced Conference after making it to the finals—albeit with some controversy.
The offseason will prove to be crucial for Akari, as it is a much-needed mental reset following the heavy criticism the Chargers faced at the end of the Reinforced Conference.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Akari’s Ivy Lacsina, Grethcel Soltones bare honest thoughts on hostile environment during Reinforced Conference final]
Nonetheless, the Chargers have proven that their roster changes before the season were worth it.
But the question now is, whether Akari is indeed a title contender in the All-Filipino Conference? We’ll find out soon enough.
PLDT High Speed Hitters
2024 All-Filipino Conference: 5th place
2024 Reinforced Conference: 4th place
2024 Invitational Conference: Skipped
A string of fourth and fifth places have cursed the High Speed Hitters.
It wasn’t the ending that PLDT had also hoped for in the Reinforced Conference after coming close in the semifinals against Akari.
The controversial loss significantly affected the players and coaching staff, who needed this offseason to recover mentally.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Kath Arado reveals PLDT almost a no-show in bronze medal match vs Cignal]
PLDT also had its superstars Kianna Dy and Savi Davison miss out on the last two conferences.
Hoping for a healthy season this time, the High Speed Hitters look primed and ever-motivated to bag its first PVL title next season.
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