Creamline, PLDT seek win No. 2

MANILA, Philippines — PLDT and Creamline try to ride the crest of their strong starts as they battle Cignal and Chery Tiggo, respectively, today in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational at the PhilSports Arena.

The High Speed Hitters, the PVL on Tour champions, were merciless in a 25-16, 25-15, 25-20 destruction of the Crossovers while the Cool Smashers needed a fifth set to edge the Cignal HD Spikers, 22-25, 25-17, 22-25, 25-11, 15-8, in last Thursday’s opener for an early share of the lead.

The Manny V. Panginlinan-owned PLDT clashes with its sister team at 4 p.m. while Creamline faces Chery Tiggo at 6:30 p.m.

PLDT is expected to rely anew on its talented rookie in Alleiah Malaluan, who debuted with a match-best 11 points straight from her Alas Pilipinas stint.

Creamline was unflappable in the clutch, relying on battle-scarred Michele Gumabao, Jema Galanza and team captain Alyssa Valdez in seizing its first triumph that put them on the right track for a 19th straight podium finish and possibly a league-high 11th title.

And the defending champions have no plans of slowing down.

“We just have to fight, keep on going. We can’t stop no matter what,” said Gumabao, who unleashed a masterful 22-point effort in their win.

Ushering in the heavy three-game bill is a duel between Japanese guest team Kobe Shinwa University and ZUS Coffee at 1:30 p.m.