The PVL Reinforced Conference delivered thrilling action on Saturday at the City of Dasmariñas Arena in Cavite, with the Zus Coffee Thunderbelles getting a command performance from import Anna DeBeer to overcome the Chery Tiggo Crossovers and the Akari Chargers surviving crowd favorite Creamline Cool Smashers.
Zus Coffee Overcomes Chery Tiggo as Anna DeBeer Delivers Command Debut
Import Anna DeBeer showed exactly what the Zus Coffee Thunderbelles and PVL fans missed the first time around as she exploded for 37 huge points to carry her team to a 25-15, 19-25, 25-20, 25-23 victory over the Chery Tiggo Crossovers.
Zus Coffee, whose opening-day win against the Akari Chargers will be replayed at a later date due to the imports missing the match because of the ITC issue, also leaned on AC Miner, who added 13 markers. Kate Santiago scattered 7 in just two sets, while Fiola Ceballos chipped in 5.
Chery Tiggo’s import, Yuni Batista, had 22 points herself and nearly helped the Crossovers send the match to a deciding fifth set, only for the Thunderbelles to overcome a couple of 10-point deficits in the fourth set. Ara Galang and Cess Robles added 15 and 9, respectively.
Up Next:
Zus Coffee vs. Galeries Tower Highrisers – October 14 (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
Chery Tiggo vs. Akari Chargers – October 14 (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
Akari Breaks Nine-Match Losing Streak to Creamline with Steely Victory
The Akari Chargers displayed nerves of steel in a thrilling endgame to survive the Creamline Cool Smashers, 23-25, 25-23, 30-28, 23-25, 15-12, in an epic five-setter. It was the Chargers’ first win over Creamline in 10 matches.
Akari’s Anna Mitchem, who like DeBeer was affected by the ITC controversy, powered the Chargers with a spectacular 33-point outing on top of 14 excellent receptions. Eli Soyud, Fifi Sharma, and Ced Domingo provided Mitchem plenty of firepower, putting up 14, 13, and 12 points, respectively. Mars Alba and Justine Jazareno took turns orchestrating Akari’s high-powered offense, with the former delivering 21 excellent sets and the latter recording 15 more.
Creamline reinforcement Courtney Schwan had herself quite the debut as well, registering 26 points on 21 attacks to go along with 15 excellent digs and 5 kill blocks. Alyssa Valdez turned in a vintage performance in support, going off for 18 markers, 11 receptions, and 9 digs for Creamline, who are without Jema Galanza.
Up Next:
Akari vs. Chery Tiggo – October 14 (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
Creamline vs. Petro Gazz Angels – October 14 (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
Next Up in the PVL Reinforced Conference
The PVL Reinforced Conference will hold a Monday match day at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to start off the week. The twin bill will see the debuting PLDT High Speed Hitters take on the Capital1 Solar Spikers in the first match, followed by the Choco Mucho Flying Titans facing off against the Cignal Super Spikers.
