PVL: Creamline’s Sherwin Meneses admits foreign squads semis concerns

Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Sherwin Meneses has two main concerns heading into the semifinals of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference and admits that they will be quite hard to address.

“The foreign [guest] teams will be tough to scout for sure,” Meneses said in Filipino after a comprehensive dismissal of PLDT on Thursday that kept the powerhouse Cool Smashers unbeaten and shoved them to the semifinals ahead of everyone else, a luxury they could tap to try and figure out what they will be facing next.

A squad each from Japan and Vietnam will join four total local clubs in the semifinals, a single-round affair that starts Thursday, and Meneses made it clear that knowing those two clubs is high on the priority list.

“We will scout them because they are from other countries, we really need to prepare,” added Meneses in Filipino even as his Cool Smashers close out their elimination round schedule in a no-bearing clash with winless Akari in the 4 p.m. game at PhilSports Arena.

“We need to be prepared for whatever situation we face,” continued Meneses, whose squad beat KingWhale of Taipei for the title last year.

Michele Gumabao, who had a career rejuvenation last season when Alyssa Valdez sat out because of a knee injury, will also return on Saturday against the Chargers, giving Meneses another weapon he can tap for the semifinals.

“She doesn’t have any injury. She just came back yesterday from an important trip. We will be happy to see her play again on Saturday,” Meneses said.

Pool B race

Gretchel Soltones leads Petro Gazz past F2 Logistics in gruelling five setter in the PVL Invitational Conference. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Meanwhile, Petro Gazz shoots for the first semifinal slot in Pool B when the Angels battle Choco Mucho in the 6:30 p.m. game.

With the HD Spikers dispatching the Farm Fresh Foxies in three sets, Petro Gazz, F2 Logistics and Cignal are at 3-1 with Choco Mucho making it a four-way battle for the two Pool B berths with a 2-1 slate.

A victory by the Angels, however, will net them a spot in the next phase, a carry-over round, making the encounter so crucial for both teams.