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Category: Volleyball

  • Vanie Gandler keeps Cignal focused as Super Spikers chase elusive PVL title

    Vanie Gandler keeps Cignal focused as Super Spikers chase elusive PVL title

    Momentum has been building for Cignal in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, but the Super Spikers are making sure it doesn’t turn into complacency.

     

    Fresh off a convincing straight-sets win over ZUS Coffee, Cignal strengthened its standing in the tournament with a 5-2 record, good for solo third place behind the early leaders PLDT and Creamline. The victory further highlighted the team’s growing confidence as the race for playoff positioning tightens.

     

    Still, the Super Spikers understand that a strong record in the preliminary round guarantees nothing in a conference where the format ensures every team remains in the hunt.

     

    “We know that no one is safe, even though we started the conference strongly. We know that we’re not safe because everyone has wins, everyone has losses. And now is not the time for us to relax,” said Cignal ace Vanie Gandler after their 25-18, 25-23, 25-22 win over ZUS Coffee.

     

    Under the tournament’s format, the top four teams after the preliminary phase advance to the qualifying round. From there, two teams will secure outright spots in the semifinals, while the losing sides are given another chance by facing the Play-In winners.

     

    The Play-In stage gives teams ranked fifth to tenth a lifeline, splitting them into two groups of three where the group winners will challenge the qualifying round losers for the final semifinal slots. 

     

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    With so many twists built into the path toward the championship, every win remains crucial — a reality not lost on the Super Spikers as they continue their steady climb.

     

    For Cignal, the stakes are even higher given the franchise’s long pursuit of a championship breakthrough. Despite being one of the league’s consistent contenders, the team has yet to capture the top prize, settling for two runner-up finishes and five third-place results in previous conferences.

     

    That unfinished mission continues to drive the squad, especially Gandler, who has emerged as the team’s offensive leader this conference with a 16.7-point average, and with 117 total points which makes her the 4th best scorer this conference. 

     

    “My goal for myself is to be able to help Cignal win the championship. That’s it,” she declared.

    With five wins already in their pocket and the team finding its rhythm, the Super Spikers are determined to keep building momentum as the competition intensifies.

     

    Cignal will have time to regroup before returning to the court on March 14 against Capital1, before wrapping up its preliminary round campaign in a highly anticipated showdown against Creamline in March. 

     

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  • Dell Palomata eyes comeback with PLDT after Indonesia Proliga stint

    Dell Palomata eyes comeback with PLDT after Indonesia Proliga stint

    PLDT may soon receive a timely boost in the middle as Dell Palomata prepares to rejoin the High Speed Hitters following her pioneering stint overseas.

     

    The 6-foot middle blocker recently wrapped up her campaign with the Medan Falcons in the 2026 Indonesia Proliga, where she made history as the Filipina import to compete in the league. 

     

    Although the Falcons struggled and finished their season with a 0-12 record, Palomata considers the experience a valuable chapter in her career.

     

    The Alas Pilipinas standout was already spotted at the FilOil Centre in San Juan, watching from the sidelines as PLDT battled its way to a thrilling five-set victory over the Farm Fresh Foxies. Her presence alone signaled that a return to the High Speed Hitters lineup could be coming soon.

     

    While the results in Indonesia didn’t fall their way, Palomata said the overseas stint taught her lessons she intends to bring back to the PVL.

     

    “Siguro yung patience pa rin. Kasi parang same-same lang yung laro sa Indonesia at dito sa Philippines. Kailangan talaga ng pasensya sa laban, kaya siguro yun yung pinakamalaking natutunan ko,” said Palomata.

     

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    Despite only recently arriving back in Manila, the 30-year-old middle blocker wasted little time reconnecting with the team. She has already resumed training with PLDT, though she acknowledged that a brief recovery period will help her fully regain rhythm.

     

    “Pumunta ako rito, ready to play naman ako, pero kailangan ko pa ng konting pahinga. Balik uli ako sa training and kailangan ko mag-training pa,” the 30-year-old middle blocker said.

     

    Her eagerness to return didn’t go unnoticed by head coach Rald Ricafort. In fact, the veteran blocker was so eager to help that she initially thought she might be inserted immediately into PLDT’s most recent match.

     

    “Actually, akala niya palalaruin ko siya today. Hindi ko siya nasabihan na ‘di pa siya sasalang pero ganun ‘yung dedication nung bata. Kararating lang niya nung March 1. Naka-isang practice palan samin tapos ready na agad siya sumabak,” Ricafort said.

     

    PLDT has managed to maintain strong momentum even without Palomata in the lineup, currently sitting at the top of the PVL All-Filipino Conference standings with a 5-1 record. Her return, however, could further strengthen the High Speed Hitters’ net defense and blocking presence as the tournament intensifies.

     

    If all goes according to plan, Palomata could make her on-court return when PLDT faces the Galeries Tower Highrisers on Tuesday, March 10 at the FilOil Centre in San Juan — potentially marking the start of her next chapter after a groundbreaking stint abroad.

     

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  • PLDT survives Farm Fresh in five-set thriller; Cignal sweeps ZUS Coffee in PVL action

    PLDT survives Farm Fresh in five-set thriller; Cignal sweeps ZUS Coffee in PVL action

    PLDT proved it could win ugly when it mattered most.

     

    The High Speed Hitters endured a tense five-set battle before finally shaking off a stubborn Farm Fresh side, 25-17, 23-25, 27-25, 21-25, 15-10, to seize the solo lead in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at the Playtime Filoil Centre.

     

    With the win, PLDT improved to 5-1 and moved past sister team Cignal at the top of the standings.

    But the victory hardly came easy.

     

    After taking the opening set with relative comfort, the High Speed Hitters were repeatedly pushed to the brink by the Foxies, who refused to fade despite facing a deeper and more experienced lineup.

     

    Farm Fresh answered every surge. It stole the second set, stretched the third into an extended duel, and forced a decider by outlasting PLDT again in the fourth.

     

    The High Speed Hitters finally regained control when it mattered most.

     

    Savi Davison sparked the decisive run in the fifth frame, scoring back-to-back points before Jessey De Leon and Angge Alcantara followed with key contributions in a 4-0 burst that pushed PLDT to match point at 14-9.

     

    After an Alcantara service error briefly delayed the finish, Davison slammed a crosscourt kill to seal the victory and cap a dominant individual outing.

     

    Davison finished with 32 points built on 28 attacks, three blocks, and one ace, while Kianna Dy added 19 markers as PLDT leaned on its firepower.

     

    Despite committing a game-high 30 errors, the High Speed Hitters made up for it with superior offense, dominating Farm Fresh in attacks, 74-59, and blocks, 14-7.

     

    On the other side, Ria Meneses led the Foxies with 17 points, while Trisha Tubu and Ces Molina chipped in 16 and 14, respectively.

     

    Farm Fresh slipped to 2-4 after dropping its second straight five-set heartbreaker and will try to regroup when it faces Choco Mucho on March 10. PLDT, meanwhile, takes on Galeries Tower on the same day at the same San Juan venue.

     

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    Earlier, Cignal bounced back emphatically from its previous loss, sweeping ZUS Coffee, 25-18, 25-23, 25-22, to stay within striking distance in the standings.

     

    The Super Spikers improved to 5-2, reclaiming their rhythm while handing the Thunderbelles their fourth straight defeat.

     

    Cignal seized control in the second set behind an unlikely source.

     

    With the frame tied at 23, veteran setter Gel Cayuna stepped up not with her playmaking but with timely scoring. She first rejected Cess Robles at the net for set point before finishing the set herself with a through-the-block hit in an out-of-system play to give Cignal a commanding 2-0 lead.

     

    ZUS Coffee tried to mount a comeback in the third, building a 15-11 cushion, but the Super Spikers showed their poise down the stretch.

     

    Vanie Gandler led the response, delivering four of Cignal’s final six points as the Super Spikers closed out the match in one hour and 26 minutes.

     

    Rose Doria-Aquino added 11 points on nine attacks and two blocks, while Erika Santos and Jackie Acuña chipped in nine and eight points, respectively.

     

    The Thunderbelles, who dropped to 1-6 in the tournament, were led by Thea Gagate and Chinnie Arroyo with 11 points each.

     

    Cignal returns to action on March 14 against Capital1, while ZUS Coffee looks to halt its slide when it faces Nxled next Thursday at the same venue.

     

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  • Jen Nierva stays grounded as Creamline wins fourth straight, eyes sharper game

    Jen Nierva stays grounded as Creamline wins fourth straight, eyes sharper game

    Even in the middle of a winning streak, Jen Nierva refuses to let comfort settle in.

     

    The Creamline libero welcomed the Cool Smashers’ fourth consecutive victory in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference but quickly pointed out that momentum means little without constant refinement.

     

    Creamline turned back Galeries, 25-14, 17-25, 25-18, 25-23, Tuesday at the FilOil Centre in San Juan to stretch its surge after an opening-game stumble against PLDT. But for Nierva, the four-game run is less about the streak and more about steady progress.

     

    “Happy po sa naging result ng game and everyone get to enjoy and get to play inside. I think it’s always a learning process yung 2nd set. Nakita din namin kung ano yung kailangan pa naming iwork on for following games din po,” Nierva said in an exclusive interview with Abante Sport’s Rogelio Nicolas III.

     

    The Cool Smashers looked poised for a runaway finish after blasting to a 12-1 start in the fourth set. Instead, they were forced to dig deep as Galeries clawed back behind rookie captain Julia Coronel’s consecutive aces to threaten at 24-23.

     

    Veterans Pangs Panaga and Jia de Guzman restored order with a crisp combination play that slammed the door shut — a sequence that underscored Creamline’s composure when the match tightened.

     

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    While the spotlight often shines on the scorers, Nierva’s presence at the backline has anchored the team’s rhythm. She has also embraced a shared role with fellow libero Kyle Atienza, a setup she believes is accelerating her growth.

     

    “Ayun po very happy na sya po yung kasama ko ngayon sa court and andami ko rin po natututunan sa kanya. And actually naamaze din po ako sa kanila lahat naman po ng liberos kasi ibat iba po ng strengths so every single day every practice namin every games nag oobserve din po ako and tinatry ko po matuto from them,” she said.

     

    Behind De Guzman’s 22 excellent sets, Creamline displayed its depth with four players finishing in double figures. Tots Carlos led with 19 points, Bernadeth Pons added 15, Jema Galanza chipped in 12 markers along with 11 excellent receptions, while Panaga contributed 11 points.

     

    Yet even with the balanced attack, Nierva’s focus has already shifted to the next test.

     

    “Just like our other games po kailangan namin ibigay yung best namin and work harder kasi di naman po natin malalaman ano yung ilalaro nila and just to play our best at saka po kailangan malinis din yung galaw namin kasi mahihirapan po kami kapag mataas po yung errors or hindi nagkakaroon ng connection I think yun din po for our upcoming games kailangan iwork on din namin kung ano yung nakitang kulang namin sa mga previous games,” she said.

     

    Creamline faces Nxled on Saturday, aiming not just to extend its streak but to sharpen the details Nierva knows will matter deeper into the conference.

     

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  • PVL: Cignal, PLDT aim to extend winning streaks as underdogs seek breakthrough

    PVL: Cignal, PLDT aim to extend winning streaks as underdogs seek breakthrough

    The Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference heats up today as four teams take the court at FilOil Centre, each with a distinct mission—some to cement dominance, others to stage a comeback.


    First up at 4 p.m., the Cignal Super Spikers will look to bounce back from last Saturday’s loss to the Akari Chargers and reinforce their claim for a top spot in the Qualifying Round. 

     

    With a 4-2 record, the Super Spikers have demonstrated that teamwork and discipline can rival star power. 

     

    Their attack remains centered on the dynamic duo of Erika Santos and Vanie Gandler, while the team’s strength lies in its speed, seamless ball distribution, and collective defense.

     

    ZUS Coffee, meanwhile, has found itself at the opposite end of the spectrum, struggling with a 1-5 record. 

     

    The Thunderbelles have been further hampered by the injury of top middle blocker AC Miner, a setback that has highlighted the challenge of competing against teams with established chemistry. 

     

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    In a bid for an upset, ZUS Coffee will turn to Chinnie Arroyo, Riza Nogales, Thea Gagate, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Kate Santiago, Renee Peñafiel, and setter Cloanne Mondonedo to spark a turnaround.

     

    Later in the evening at 6:30 p.m., the PLDT High Speed Hitters will face the Farm Fresh Foxies, with both teams looking to dictate their path in the standings. 

     

    PLDT enters the match with a 4-1 record and a reputation for high-powered offense, showcased by Kim Dy’s ability to create scoring runs through smart touches and combination plays. 

     

    The team aims to replicate its strong performance from Saturday against ZUS Coffee and continue its push toward the semifinals.

     

    Farm Fresh Foxies, sitting at 2-3, are eager to rebound after a narrow five-set loss to Capital1. Despite standout performances from Molina, Rizza Cruz, and Royse Tubino, the Foxies are determined to regain momentum and prove that even lower-ranked squads can make a meaningful push under the PVL’s new format, where no team is immediately eliminated.

     

    Under this system, the stakes remain high across the board. The top four teams will advance to the Qualifying Round, with matchups set as No. 1 vs. No. 4 and No. 2 vs. No. 3. The winners automatically secure semifinal berths, making each game not just a contest of skill, but also a strategic step toward postseason positioning.

     

    As Cignal and PLDT look to consolidate their dominance and ZUS Coffee and Farm Fresh strive for breakthrough victories, fans can expect a full evening of high-intensity volleyball where every point could reshape the standings.

     

     

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  • NU, FEU delivers a double sweep as UAAP women’s volleyball race tightens

    NU, FEU delivers a double sweep as UAAP women’s volleyball race tightens

    Wednesday UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball match turned into an emphatic response in the volleyball tournament, as defending champion NU Lady Bulldogs and surging FEU Lady Tamaraws authored straight-set victories at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.


    For National University, it was about regaining control. For Far Eastern University, it was about sustaining momentum.

     

    Stung by their first loss of the season to the UP Fighting Maroons last Saturday, the two-time defending champions wasted little time reasserting their authority, dismantling the UE Lady Warriors, 25-19, 25-10, 25-19.

     

    Rather than dwell on setbacks, NU showcased its depth, a hallmark of championship programs. Sophomore Celine Marsh, tapped to start in place of injured rookie Sam Cantada, delivered a composed all-around performance with 11 points off eight spikes, two aces, and a block, on top of 12 excellent digs and four receptions.

     

    “I never really doubted Celine’s performance. I never really feel like na malaki ‘yung mawawala kapag may isang player na hindi makakalaro kasi I have somebody else to help the team. Tulungan lang talaga kami,” said NU head coach Regine Diego.

     

    While team captain Vange Alinsug earned Player of the Game after tallying 10 points, seven digs, and seven receptions, and Arah Panique paced Lady Bulldog’s scoring with 12 points.

     

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    On the other side, Van Bangayan led UE with 12 points and five receptions, while Khy Cepada chipped in 10 points, seven receptions, and six digs. Still searching for their first win, the Lady Warriors dropped to 0-5 and will next face unbeaten La Salle.

     

    With the victory, NU climbed to 4-1, claiming solo second place and sending a clear message that its championship pulse remains steady.

     

    In the 3 p.m. match, FEU proved that resilience can be just as decisive as dominance.

    The Lady Tamaraws secured their second straight win by sweeping the Ateneo Lady Eagles, 25-17, 25-17, 26-24, but the third set demanded grit.

     

    Ateneo pushed FEU to the brink late in the frame, threatening to extend the match before the Tamaraws steadied themselves to close it out in deuce.

     

    Faida Bakanke led FEU with 12 points, while Gerzel Petallo anchored the floor defense with 13 excellent receptions and 11 excellent digs, adding nine points. Jazlyn Ellarina showcased her versatility with 11 points built on five spikes, three aces, and three blocks, while Clarisse Loresco chipped in eight.

     

    For Ateneo, Geezel Tsunashima delivered her best outing of the season with 11 points, aided by Jihan Chuatico’s seven. Despite flashes of competitiveness including handing La Salle its lone set loss of the season last Saturday. The Blue Eagles remained winless after five games and as the tournament heads deeper into the first round, the separation lines are beginning to form.

     

    NU reestablished its championship form. FEU is building rhythm. UE and Ateneo continue to search for answers.

     

    Action resumes over the weekend at the Big Dome, with UE Lady Warriors taking on DLSU Lady Spikers at 1 p.m., followed by Adamson Lady Falcons clashing with UST Golden Tigresses at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

     

    On Sunday, the schedule opens with NU Lady Bulldogs battling the Ateneo Lady Eagles, then UP Fighting Maroons will face FEU Lady Tamaraws.

     

     

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  • Alas Pilipinas to UAAP: La Salle’s Angel Canino and UST’s Joshua Ybanez named UAAP Players of the Week for Week 2

    Alas Pilipinas to UAAP: La Salle’s Angel Canino and UST’s Joshua Ybanez named UAAP Players of the Week for Week 2

    From carrying the Philippine flag to carrying their schools, Angel Canino and Joshua Ybanez proved that the transition from Alas Pilipinas back to collegiate play comes with no adjustment period.

     

    In Week 2 of the UAAP Season 88 volleyball tournament, the two national team standouts delivered performances that bridged international discipline with campus intensity, steering De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas to unbeaten weeks and earning UAAP Players of the Week honors.

     

    For Canino, the spotlight did not arrive by demand — it arrived by necessity. With La Salle missing key firepower due to illness, the Alas Pilipinas winger leaned on composure rather than volume. She first helped dismantle a previously unbeaten University of the Philippines squad in straight sets, combining timely scoring with steady floor coverage. 

     

    Days later, when archrival Ateneo de Manila University managed to snatch La Salle’s first set of the season, Canino responded with a 21-point, 11-reception double-double to restore order and keep the Lady Spikers unblemished.

     

    Yet her mindset remained rooted in collective responsibility.

     

    “Hindi ko siya iniisip na ittake ko lahat ng responsibility kasi madami kaming senior eh, and madami ding mga bata na willing to step up so magaan din para sa akin kasi alam ko talaga when it comes to playing, hindi lang ako dapat ang maasahan,” she said after their win over Ateneo.

     

    “Lahat kami naasahan sa loob kaya walang dagdag na pressure. Lahat naman pinaghirapan namin. So lagi namin talagang pinagkakatiwalaan kung anong pinagtatraining namin.

     

    Napakaganda naman talaga ng resulta, at mapupuri mo talaga yung mga bata,” she added.

     

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    On the men’s side, Ybanez’s return from national team duties came with a sharpened edge.

    After reinforcing his defensive instincts during the offseason as libero for Alas Men, the UST star has become even more dynamic as an opposite hitter. 

     

    In a five-set thriller against Ateneo, he exploded for 29 points while adding 19 excellent receptions — a rare blend of offensive ferocity and backline reliability. 

     

    He followed that up with another double-double effort in a straight-sets victory over University of the East, lifting UST to three straight wins and a 3–1 slate.

     

    But like his fellow Alas Pilipinas Women colleague, Ybanez sees the bigger picture beyond weekly accolades.

     

    “If there’s something that needs to change, we work on it. Kasi we tend to go back sa mga old habits namin. Mas mapapatibay talaga yung team kapag kaming mga seniors yung maging role model ng mga bata — the consistency and the hard work,” Ybanez said.

     

    From international courts to the UAAP spotlight, Canino and Ybanez have set the tone early in Season 88. The medals and weekly citations may differ, but the message is consistent: when national team pillars return home, they raise the standard with them.

     

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  • Eya Laure embraces rare showdown with sister EJ across the net

    Eya Laure embraces rare showdown with sister EJ across the net

    For most players, Tuesday night at the Filoil EcoOil Centre was just another grind in the long stretch of the Premier Volleyball League season.

     

    For Eya Laure, it felt like a flashback — and a first — all at once.

     

    Across the net stood her sister, EJ Laure, no longer a teammate in the same huddle but a rival in different colors. When Choco Mucho Flying Titans outlasted Nxled Chameleons, 27-25, 28-26, 16-25, 25-19, the box score told a story of clutch scoring and momentum swings. But beyond the numbers was something more personal — two sisters tracing diverging paths that began side by side.

     

    “Actually, namimiss ko siya kasama,” said Eya following the win.

     

    “Pero iba pala yung feeling kapag kalaban ko siya. Kasi last na nakalaban ko siya, parang high school pa ako, tas college na, nagtu-tune up kami.”

     

    They had grown used to sharing the same goals, the same systems, even the same professional beginnings after college. Years of familiarity built an instinct that doesn’t fade just because the jerseys change.

     

    “Masaya lang ako, masaya ako na sabay kaming nakakapaglaro until now. Nakakatuwa kasi siyempre, parang pagka nakikita ko siyang pumapalo, alam ko na kaagad kung saan siya pupunta e,” said the Alas Pilipinas standout.

     

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    That familiarity, ironically, became an edge.

     

    With Choco Mucho staring at a 9-15 deficit in the fourth set, Eya flipped the switch. She scored six of the team’s last 10 points, turning tension into separation and sealing the Flying Titans’ second straight victory. She finished with 13 points — all off attacks — in a two-hour duel that demanded both heart and endurance.

     

    EJ, limited to the first two sets, contributed three points for Nxled. Still, every exchange across the net carried weight beyond the rally.

     

    “Parang gano’n, sabi ko, gano’n ako ka-familiar sa ate ko. Na-miss ko rin kasi, siyempre, last namin, last kaming nagkasama, is last year? Last, last year. So ayun, parang iba lang yung feeling na ate mo yung kalaban mo,” Eya said.

     

    The night was not without its challenges. Eya managed an abdominal strain through the match, pushing through discomfort in a contest that was as emotional as it was physical. On her side of the net, though, she found comfort in another guiding presence — Sisi Rondina.

     

    “Pero buti na lang nandiyan si Ate Sisi sa side ko na ‘to tap. Kasi kung ano yung ginagawa ni Ate Sisi sa akin na pag-tap or pag-remind, yun yung ginagawa kasi ng ate ko before,” she said.

    “So ayun lang, masaya na marami akong ate sa paligid ko.”

     

    In a league defined by rivalries and rising stakes, this was a different kind of battle — one measured not just by points, but by shared history. On Tuesday, the Laure sisters stood on opposite sides of the net. But in many ways, they were still playing the same game they always have: pushing each other forward.

     

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  • Redemption and rise: UE, NU, Ateneo, and FEU eye crucial UAAP Season 88 turning point

    Redemption and rise: UE, NU, Ateneo, and FEU eye crucial UAAP Season 88 turning point

    The middle stretch of UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball is shaping up to be less about early dominance and more about response. 


    On Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, four teams will step onto the taraflex with heated passion to win. 

     

    The 1 p.m. opener places the spotlight on opposite ends of the emotional spectrum. The UE Lady Warriors enter still chasing their first victory after a winless Season 87 campaign extended into this year. 

     

    Their 18-game slide looms large, and their latest setback, a straight-sets defeat to the UST Golden Tigresses. Khy Cepada led UE with nine points in that outing, but the climb remains steep.

     

    Across the net stand the defending champions, the NU Lady Bulldogs, who suddenly find themselves in unfamiliar territory.

     

    Unbeaten through three matches, National University appeared headed for another routine win after taking a 2-0 lead over the UP Fighting Maroons last Saturday. Instead, they absorbed a stunning five-set reversal, 25-16, 25-16, 22-25, 29-31, 16-18, a result that snapped their winning streak.

     

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    Now chasing a third straight championship, NU must recalibrate quickly. Rookie Sam Cantada remains doubtful after injuring her right shin, but veterans Arah Panique, Vange Alinsug, Chams Maaya, Alexa Mata, setter Lams Lamina, and Shaira Jardio are expected to anchor the bounce-back effort.

     

    Meanwhile, the 3 p.m. match features two teams the Ateneo Lady Eagles and the FEU Lady Tamaraws.

     

    The Ateneo Blue Eagles showed flashes of fight against unbeaten powerhouse De La Salle Lady Spikers, even snatching a set in a four-set defeat, 25-14, 21-25, 25-17, 25-17. 

     

    It marked the first set La Salle conceded this season — a small but meaningful statement from a squad still hunting its first win. Under head coach Sergio Veloso, Ateneo is banking on that glimpse of competitiveness to finally translate into a breakthrough result.

     

    Standing in their way are the FEU Lady Tamaraws, currently at 2-2 and locked in a crowded race for the upper half of the standings alongside UST and Adamson. 

     

    FEU is coming off a morale-boosting four-set win over the Adamson Lady Falcons, 22-25, 31-28, 25-17, 25-20, a response to their own loss against NU.

     

    As the second round of games inches closer, Wednesday’s twin bill is less about highlight plays and more about trajectory.

     

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  • Sherwin Meneses unlocks winning blend as Creamline’s depth fuels four-game surge

    Sherwin Meneses unlocks winning blend as Creamline’s depth fuels four-game surge

    After absorbing a stunning opening-game sweep at the hands of the PLDT High Speed Hitters, the 10-time champions have quietly rebuilt their rhythm, not by overhauling their system, but by maximizing it.

     

    Creamline stretched its winning streak to four with a 25-14, 17-25, 25-18, 25-23 decision over the Galeries Tower Highrisers at the FilOil Centre, leaning on Tots Carlos’ 19-point outing and a rotation that has finally clicked.

     

    For head coach Sherwin Meneses, the early stumble may have served as a necessary wake-up call.

     

    Since that loss, the Cool Smashers have taken down the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, Capital1 Solar Spikers, and Galeries Tower. 

     

    Three of those wins came in four sets and another via sweep. The victories were not always dominant, but they were controlled, steady, and built on depth.

     

    More than the results, it is the distribution of minutes that signals Creamline’s resurgence.

    “Meron naman na talaga kaming rotation talaga. Talagang siyempre as a team, kailangan din ng mga role players, mga off the bench,” Meneses the 42-year-old head coach said.

     

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    Creamline’s bench, after all, is stacked with veterans capable of carrying starting roles anywhere else in the league — from Alyssa Valdez and Michele Gumabao to Kyle Negrito and Bea de Leon. Instead of relying heavily on a fixed core, Meneses has shuffled combinations, preserving energy while maintaining intensity. 

     

    “Hindi ka naman magiging champion team kung mga anim hanggang pito lang ‘yung gumagawa kaya happy kami kasi ‘yung mga nasa bench, nagpe-perform din,” he said.

     

    At the forefront remain pillars Bernadeth Pons, Jema Galanza, Pangs Panaga, Carlos, and Jia de Guzman — a starting unit that provides both firepower and stability.

     

    The renewed balance has restored the Cool Smashers’ trademark sharpness, but Meneses remains wary as the preliminaries approach their critical stretch.

     

    “Sana magtuloy-tuloy pa sa mga next game namin at mas maganda pa ‘yung ipakita nila. ‘Yung rotation namin, nandiyan naman na rin ‘yan at okay na naman. Walang team ngayon na hindi talaga lumalaban kaya dapat every possession, ready ka,” Meneses said. 

     

    Creamline faces another litmus test Saturday against the Nxled Chameleons. A win would lift the Cool Smashers to 5-1 and further affirm their upward trajectory and a loss would tighten the standings at 4-2.

     

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