CREAMLINE and PetroGazz slug it out in Game 1 of the PVL Open Conference today with the powerhouse Cool Smashers seeking not only to complete a grand sweep but also a payback and the fired-up Angels out to frustrate their fancied rivals for the second straight conference.
The 6 p.m. clash at The Arena in San Juan will be a duel of offense versus defense. The Cool Smashers swept the double round elims by dominating three skills categories, including attacks with a 34.36 percent success rate. They also delivered a league-best 2.19 aces per set and emerged No. 1 in setting with norms of 6.81 excellent sets per frame behind Jia Morado and Kyle Negrito.
But the Angels, who lost Game 1 but swept the Cool Smashers in the next two to snare the Reinforced Conference crown last July, are the best in defense, averaging 2.21 kill blocks per set. PetroGazz was also tops in service reception with a 44.77 percent efficiency rate, guaranteeing a slam-bang action right at the start of their best-of-three series tipped to go down-to-the-wire.
The Finals will be aired live on LIGA SkyCable Channel 86, LIGA HD SkyCable Channel 183, iWant and via livestream.
BanKo-Perlas and Motolite tangle in their best-of-three battle for third at 4 p.m.
The long break should’ve given both teams ample time to polish their respective play patterns and toughen up on their reception and defensive plays with coaches Tai Bundit of Creamline and Arnold Laniog of PetroGazz expected to spring a surprise or two in terms of rotation to startle the other team’s defensive set-up and at the same time help fuel their respective title drives.
