Unbeaten Cool Smashers seek semis vs P Smashers

Creamline goes for a fifth straight win and the first semifinal berth as it clashes with the struggling Power Smashers even as Perlas-BanKo and UP collide in a key duel in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at the Filoil Arena in Pasay City.

But the Cool Smashers will have to keep their streak going without their ace player as Alyssa Valdez joins the national team in its Japan training and will miss at least three games.

Still, Creamline remains the slight favorite over the Power Smashers in their 4 p.m. duel although the latter have snapped an early three-game skid with a five-set escape over the Perlas-BanKo Spikers over the weekend to stay in the hunt in the mid-season conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.

But the Cool Smashers posted a more impressive win, beating the defending champion Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors 25-15, 17-25, 25-19, 25-19, to grab the solo lead and close in on the first Final Four slot.

Without Valdez, the league’s MVP derby leader who dropped 30 points against the Lady Warriors, Creamline is expected to count on Francesca Racraquin and Perpetual Help standout Jamela Suyat for firepower.

“What is good with our team is that all our players are ready to play. Cesca (Racraquin) has done well last game and Jamela (Suyat) has been doing great in practices and we expect them to be ready in our next game,” said Creamline assistant coach Oliver Almadro.

Perlas-BanKo and University of the Philippines, tied with Adamson and the Power Smashers at 1-3, face off at 6:30 p.m. with both looking for a crucial win that will keep them in the semis race.

Meanwhile, newcomer Mega Builders and Cignal TV tangle at 1 p.m. in a duel of unbeaten teams in the men’s side of the league backed by Mikasa and Asics.