Video: Jema Galanza on playing with her sister, Mafe
Creamline relies on united mental approach to turn back Choco Mucho in Game 1
Creamline Cool Smashers’ Jeanette Panaga against Choco Mucho Flying TItans’ Maddie Madayag. –PVL PHOTO
Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos have figured out what it will take for Creamline to defend its Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Crown.
“We have to have that combination of our own mindset and the strategy of our coaches and if we can execute all of those, we hope to get the win in the next game,” said Valdez who had 11 points after starting in all the sets as the Cool Smashers hammered out a 25-23, 19-25, 26-24, 25-22 victory over the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in Game 1 of their Finals series on Thursday.
Creamline inspired by Jia De Guzman’s message en route to Game 1 win
A special message from Creamline Cool Smashers’ Jia de Guzman ahead of the PVL Finals Game 1. –LANCE AGCAOILI
MANILA, Philippines — Creamline got a special call from Jia De Guzman all the way from Osaka, Japan moments before its first Finals match against sister team Choco Mucho in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) second All-Filipino Conference on Thursday.
Before the Cool Smashers’ starters were introduced, a recorded call of De Guzman with her Alyssa Valdez was flashed on the screen of the Mall of Asia Arena with the eight-time best setter wishing her team good luck in their 10th finals appearance without her for the first time due to her ongoing V.League stint with the Denso Airybees.
Video: Maddie Madayag shares her thoughts after dropping PVL Finals Game 1
Video: Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses, Alyssa Valdez, Jema Galanza, and Tots Carlos after PVL Finals Game 1
Creamline overcomes Choco Mucho in PVL Finals Game 1
Creamline Cool Smashers in Game 1 of the PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals against Choco Mucho. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Creamline flaunted its championship experience to beat first-time finalist and sister team Choco Mucho in Game 1, 25-23, 19-25, 26-24, 25-22, and move on the cusp of its third straight Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference title on Thursday at Mall of Asia Arena.
The Flying Titans didn’t play like they were finals debutants, pushing the defending champions to their limits in every set. But the championship poise and composure of the Cool Smashers prevailed as they asserted their mastery of the sister team, remaining unbeaten in 10 games in their sibling duel.
Video: Choco Mucho heads to the locker room after losing Finals Game 1
Video: Bernadeth Pons nails the game 1-clinching hit for Creamline
Watch: Bernadeth Pons nails the game 1-clinching hit. #PVL2023 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/cF46HY3zyk
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) December 14, 2023
PVL Finals Game 1 Final Score: Creamline vs Choco Mucho
GAME ONE GOES TO THE COOL SMASHERS!
FINAL: Creamline beats finals debutant Choco Mucho in four sets to draw first blood in their best-of-three title series. #PVL2023 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/jrJLIzpphm
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) December 14, 2023
END OF SET 3: Creamline 26, Choco Mucho 24
The Cool Smashers complete a comeback in the third set to take a 2-1 advantage. #PVL2023 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) December 14, 2023
END OF SET 2: Choco Mucho 25, Creamline 19
The Flying Titans level Game 1 to one set apiece. #PVL2023 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) December 14, 2023
Video: The PVL finals debutants, the Flying Titans
The PVL finals debutants, the Flying Titans. #PVL2023 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/wf1pZCKBAc
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) December 14, 2023
Video: PVL Finalists Creamline, Choco Mucho player introductions
For the first time ever, Creamline vs Choco Mucho in the PVL Finals. #PVL2023 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/YMiUaGyHuV
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) December 14, 2023
Video: Vanie Gandler, Cignal coach Shaq Delos Santos after taking Game 1 of the battle for third
PVL: Cignal turns back Chery Tiggo with bronze finish within reach
Vanie Gandler and Cignal HD Spikers close in on PVL All-Filipino Conference bronze. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Cignal inched closer to another bronze medal in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) after venting its ire on Chery Tiggo, 25-19, 21-25, 25-15, 25-20, in Game 1 of their best-of-three battle for third in the second All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Licking the wounds after their semifinal series meltdown to first-time finalist Choco Mucho two days ago, Vanie Gandler stepped up to show the way for the HD Spikers with a game-high 21 points, nearing the team’s fourth PVL bronze in the past seven tournaments.
“That’s sports. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose and we just have to accept it and move forward. Yesterday, coach Shaq [Delos Santos] was right. It was a bit hard but I think today, what we put our minds on is the fight is not over and that to get a bronze medal is still a big achievement. So that’s our main focus right now,” said Gandler after the game.
Battle for 3rd Score: Cignal vs Chery Tiggo
FINAL: Cignal takes Game 1 of the bronze series with a four-set victory over Chery Tiggo. #PVL2023 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/3Rw2b7IfGS
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) December 14, 2023
END OF SET 3: Cignal 25, Chery Tiggo 15 #PVL2023 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) December 14, 2023
END OF SET 2: Chery Tiggo 25, Cignal 21
The Crossovers equalize the game to one set apiece. #PVL2023 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) December 14, 2023
END OF SET 1: Cignal 25, Chery Tiggo 19 #PVL2023 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) December 14, 2023
PVL Finals Schedule Game 1 (December 14)
Mall of Asia Arena
4 p.m. – Chery Tiggo Crossovers vs Cignal HD Spikers (Battle for Third)
6 p.m. – Creamline Cool Smashers vs Choco Mucho Flying Titans (Finals)
Choco Mucho looks to end Creamline dominance as PVL Finals get going
Kat Tolentino and the Choco Mucho Flying Titans face the formidable Creamline Cool Smashers in their first finals stint. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The biggest volleyball stage in the country is set with two of the Premier Volleyball League’s (PVL) crowd darlings pitted against each other.
But while the two teams are pretty much even in the stands, on the court it’s a different story.
Creamline will enter the PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals a massive favorite, having won all nine of its previous meetings against sister team Choco Mucho.
Deanna Wong grateful to be part of PVL Finals-bound Choco Mucho
Deanna Wong emotional as Choco Mucho enters the PVL Finals for the first time. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Deanna Wong felt all the emotions on Tuesday night after Choco Mucho’s thrilling four-set win over Cignal in Game 3 of the Premier Volleyball League’s (PVL) All-Filipino Conference semifinals.
But one of the that that truly showed up for Wong is that of gratefulness as she joins the Flying Titans in their first-ever PVL Finals appearance.
“[I’m] just really grateful and blessed to be here. Well, as a team, our first goal was to be a part of the top four, part of the semifinals,” said the setter at Philsports Arena.
Des Cheng celebrates Choco Mucho’s breakthrough PVL Finals stint
FILE–Choco Mucho Flying Titans’ Des Cheng. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net
MANILA, Philippines—Des Cheng turned sentimental on Tuesday night after her team Choco Mucho finally reached a breakthrough in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).
Cheng took to Twitter right after the Flying Titans defeated Cignal in the best-of-three semifinals to book a Finals berth for the first time since joining the league in 2019.