A general view of the crowd during Game 2 of the PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals between Creamline and Choco Mucho at Araneta Coliseum.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—If there was a number monitored intently on Sunday, it was 24,459–the all-time PVL attendance record set just last December in Game 2 of last year’s All-Filipino Conference Finals between Creamline and Choco Mucho at Araneta Coliseum.
There was belief that Game 2 of the Cool Smashers and Flying Titans’ title rematch at the Big Dome would reset the mark.
“Mukha, oo,” said coach Chery Tiggo coach KungFu Reyes in Filipino after his squad beat Petro Gazz that tied up their battle for bronze series when asked if the PVL attendance record would be broken Sunday night despite the heavy downpour. “Of course, it’s Creamline and Choco Mucho and it’s good to see because they’re celebrating the game.”
The crowd kept coming and it wasn’t long until the Araneta Coliseum was packed to the rafters with the majority of fans clad in either pink or purple.
READ: Creamline depth leads to another PVL crown at expense of Choco Mucho
LOOK: The (still increasing) crowd for Game 2 of the #PVL2024 All-Filipino Conference Finals between Choco Mucho and Creamline.
📸: Marlo Cueto | @marlocueto pic.twitter.com/8gXgWUjxUb
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) May 12, 2024
In the end, however, the record stood with Sunday’s final tally at 23,163–not enough to set a new mark but still remarkable as volleyball’s popularity in the country continues to grow.
Just like their first championship encounter, the Cool Smashers swept the Flying Titans to keep their throne as PVL All-Filipino queens.
“The number of people [watching] keeps increasing. We’re thankful to the fans and the volleyball community, especially for Creamline. We’re happy whenever volleyball’s growing,” said an ecstatic Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses in Filipino.
“We experienced it [playing in front of the record crowd]. Of course, we’re happy that we’re part of history with all those fans. It’s history. We’re part of it. We’re happy.”