Away from Creamline-Choco glare, Nxled begins PVL journey

Creamline and Choco Mucho compete in the last All-Filipino Conference in front of another huge crowd. —PVL IMAGES

There can’t be a bigger game to kick off any Premier Volleyball League (PVL) conference—audience-wise, at least—than Creamline going up against sister team Choco Mucho.

That’s the game that will highlight Sunday’s curtain-raiser of the All-Filipino Conference at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

And it speaks to the king of crowd-drawing abilities of both teams that Sherwin Meneses, coach of the ultra-popular Cool Smashers, is actually worried about how the Flying Titans can fill up cheering sections of arenas.

“Every time we face Choco Mucho, our main concern is the crowd. It’s really huge,” Meneses said on the eve of the 7 p.m. duel with the Flying Titans.

“But we’re ready,” Meneses added. “We are concerned a lot about the first game because that’s like a check of our team. In this conference, no matter who the opponent is, they will give a good fight but the first game gives us a chance to see what the team needs to improve on.”

The stars are expected to show up for that match.

Creamline boasts a roster of some of the biggest names in volleyball: Alyssa Valdez, Michele Gumabao, Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, Bernadette Pons and the ever-improving Celine Domingo.

Choco Mucho doesn’t exactly lack star power either. Kat Tolentino, Maddie Madayag, Bea de Leon, Des Cheng, Cherry Nunag, Isa Molde, Caitlin Viray, Deanna Wong and Sisi Rondina lead the Titans, who know exactly what they are up against.

“There’s pressure because they are the defending champions. But I told the players we’ve come a long way and we have a chance to win our first game,” said Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin.

Eased expectations

The heavy glare of the spotlight on that match provides a perfect environment for the Nxled Chameleons to make their debut.

About four hours before the Cool Smashers and the Flying Titans take the court, the Chameleons open their bid against Gerflor at 3 p.m., with Japanese coach Taka Minowa easing expectations on the new squad.

“Actually, we only just had a short time to prepare. But I’m trying to share my knowledge and experience. Take it one step at a time. We’re focused on improving because we’re a new team,” said the first-time PVL coach and husband of Filipino standout and naturalized Japanese Jaja Santiago. “It’s kind of difficult to focus on winning. The players are still trying to adjust to my system.”

Pilipinas Live, the new sports streaming app featuring new technological features for a much more in-depth viewing experience, will carry the games live on its platform.

The other game will feature PLDT, with new recruit Filipino-Canadian hitter Savannah Davison in tow, battles Cignal.

The Chameleons will be led by Krich Macaslang, Jho Maraguinot, Lycha Ebon, Kamille Cal, Janine Navarro, Chiara Permentilla, Camilla Victoria and Dani Ravena, with Minowa hoping to learn as much as he will teach while in the country.

“This team is very young, I need to be strong. I must not be soft in teaching them I want to do that. But first, we need to improve. Right now I’m trying to look at what they need to improve on and what we need to do to improve,” said Minowa. “We’re focused on sharing and hearing also what they think about it. I’m not just pushing my coaching but I also want to talk and hear from them.”

“I want to coach here and also I want to know Filipino culture. How Filipino players practice and how they are during the game. [To learn] more about the culture and also food,” Minowa said. “I share my volleyball knowledge [to my team]. We just share the culture.”

The 34-year-old Minowa is the second active foreign coach after Brazilian tactician Jorge Souza de Brito, who handles sister-team Akari. —INQUIRER SPORTS STAFF INQ