FILE–PLDT High Speed Hitters’ during a PVL Reinforced Conference game. The semifinals featuring Akari, PLDT, Cignal and Creamline have been moved to Saturday after Thursday’s postponement. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — The Final Four of the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference will have to wait as the league postponed the semifinal games on Thursday due to a power outage at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The PVL on Thursday afternoon announced the semifinal games thus have been rescheduled to Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena, where the final day was originally scheduled.
“This postponement has been necessitated by a power outage in the area, caused by the continuous downpour over the past few days. The adverse weather conditions have led to significant damage to several Meralco power posts supplying electricity to the Philsports Arena, rendering the facility inoperable for the scheduled event,” the league said.
SCHEDULE: 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference semis
“The PVL sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience this change may cause and appreciates the understanding and patience of everyone affected. The league is dedicated to maintaining a secure and enjoyable environment for our events and is working diligently to ensure a smooth transition to the new venue and date.”
The gold medal match, in turn, will be moved to Monday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
All purchased tickets for the original date will be automatically refunded. The refund amount will be credited back to the original payment method, whether it be a bank account, card, or e-wallet.
FILE–PVL semifinalist Akari Chargers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
No.1 Akari, which is unbeaten in nine games, was supposed to take on PLDT at 4 p.m., while Cignal and Creamline clash for the other final berth at 6 p.m.
Akari booked its first-ever semifinal appearance since joining the PVL two years ago after the troika of Oly Okaro, Grethcel Soltones, and Ivy Lacsina knocked out No.8 seed Farm Fresh last Saturday in their knockout quarterfinal game.
The High Speed Hitters, meanwhile, are eyeing their first-ever final appearance under coach Rald Ricafort and his deputy Arnold Laniog, who steered Petro Gazz to its last two Reinforced championships in 2019 and 2022.
READ: PVL: Pons has something up her sleeve vs former coach, Cignal
Meanwhile, Creamline is raring to end a six-year PVL Reinforced championship drought with the troika of Erica Staunton, Bernadeth Pons, and Michele Gumabao, who formed a potent combo in the absence of Alyssa Valdez, Jema Galanza, and Tots Carlos.
The Cool Smashers are taking on Cignal, which finished second in the elimination round and withstood the 50-point scoring record of Marina Tushova and Capital1 last Saturday to enter the semifinals.
The HD Spikers, the runner-up of the 2022 Reinforced, are seeking to get over the hump with MJ Perez, Ces Molina, Gel Cayuna, and middle blockers Riri Meneses and Jackie Acuña.
The four teams have qualified for the Invitational Conference starting next week, playing against defending champion Kurashiki Ablaze of Japan and another guest team.