MANILA, Philippines — On Creamline’s road to a fifth consecutive PVL All-Filipino Conference championship, three previous finals challengers–Akari, Choco Mucho, and Petro Gazz–stand in its way in the round-robin semifinals.

After completing a historic Grand Slam last year despite missing its injured stars, Creamline went full force with a healthy line-up as three-time MVPs Tots Carlos and Alyssa Valdez returned from their respective injuries to join rising stars Bernadeth Pons, Jema Galanza, Michele Gumabao, Kyle Negrito, Bea De Leon, Pangs Panaga, and Kyla Atienza.

SCHEDULE: 2025 PVL All-Filipino Conference SEMIFINALS

The Cool Smashers, under seven-time champion coach Sherwin Meneses, dominated the new tournament format with a 10-1 record. They suffered their lone loss to the PLDT High Speed Hitters before dominating Nxled in the qualification round and sweeping Chery Tiggo in their best-of-three quarterfinals.

Creamline’s “drive for five” will be tested by past finals rivals, including Petro Gazz, which it defeated in the 2019, 2022, and 2023 Open/All-Filipino championship series.

The Cool Smashers will also face their sister team, Choco Mucho, which finished as runner-up in the last two All-Filipino finals, and Akari, last year’s Reinforced Conference finalist.

The top two teams from the round-robin semis will advance to the best-of-three finals in April. If teams are tied for the second spot, a playoff will determine the last finals berth.

PETRO GAZZ ANGELS

Petro Gazz Angels during a PVL All-Filipino quarterfinals game against ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Petro Gazz was the last team to clinch a semifinal berth after dropping Game 1 to play-in survivor ZUS Coffee but bounced back to advance. The Angels finished with the same 10-1 preliminary-round record as Creamline, with their lone loss coming against the defending champions.

Since joining the league in 2018, the Angels have won two Reinforced titles but are still chasing its first All-Filipino crown, having been denied by Creamline in three straight finals appearances (2019, 2022, 2023).

READ: PVL: Petro Gazz ousts ZUS Coffee to complete semifinals cast

With reigning MVP Brooke Van Sickle leading the charge, Petro Gazz is eager for a return to the finals after settling for bronze last year losing to Creamline and Choco Mucho in the round-robin semis.

Van Sickle has found an effective tandem with Myla Pablo, while coach Koji Tsuzurabara also relies on key players MJ Phillips, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Jonah Sabete, and Chie Saet. The Angels will need to shake off their quarterfinals scare against ZUS Coffee to stay competitive in the semis.

CHOCO MUCHO

Sisi Rondina and the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the PVL All-Filipino Conference qualifying round game against Chery Tiggo Crossovers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

One team that has been red hot is clad in a purple and white with Choco Mucho yet to lose a game in eight outings this 2025.

Despite losing key players—Kat Tolentino to appendix surgery and Maddie Madayag to a Japan SV.League stint—the Flying Titans remain formidable with heart and soul Sisi Rondina leading. the charge.

READ: PVL: Choco Mucho continues to draw energy, inspiration from fans

Coach Dante Alinsunurin’s winning system was on full display with Rondina getting some help from veterans Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Royse Tubino, Isa Molde, Cherry Nunag, and libero Thang Ponce. Choco Mucho has also been drawing a solid setter duo in Mars Alba and Deanna Wong, who have a lot to offer to their attackers and can pull off surprises on the opponents.

Choco Mucho survived a grueling quarterfinal series against PLDT, winning back-to-back five-set thrillers in what has been the most intense playoff battle so far.

The Flying Titans swept last year’s round-robin semifinals, including their first-ever win over Creamline, but ultimately fell to their sister team in the finals for a second straight season.

AKARI

Akari Chargers during a win over Farm Fresh Foxies in PVL All-Filipino Conference.–PVL PHOTO

Akari is the newest kid on the block, making its first All-Filipino semis appearance after reaching the Reinforced Conference finals last year.

The Chargers proved their breakthrough was no fluke, climbing from a 5-6 preliminary-round finish to knock out Farm Fresh in the qualification round and edge Galeries Tower in the quarterfinals with two gritty five-set comebacks.

Akari, which was on the receiving end of social media bashing after its last Reinforced championship game due to a controversial win over PLDT in the semis,   got its fresh start this season, proving that the it could make a deep run, too, even without foreign guest player Oly Okaro.

READ: PVL: PVL: As playoffs get going, Akari starts trek back to finals

In their first semis round-robin, Japanese coach Taka Minowa pins his hopes on the trio of Ivy Lacsina, Grethcel Soltones, and Eli Soyud as well as Mich Cobb, Ced Domingo, Cams Victoria, Justine Jazareño, and returning Alas Pilipinas pair Faith Nisperos and Fifi Sharma.

The semifinal round fires off at Ynares Center Antipolo on Saturday, with Creamline taking on Petro Gazz in the main 6:30 p.m. game, while Akari and Choco Mucho kick things off at 4 p.m.

Creamline renews its rivalry against Akari on Tuesday next week at Philsports Arena, 4 p.m., before the Choco Mucho-Petro Gazz duel at 6:30 p.m.

The final day of the semifinals will be on Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum, headlined by the Rebisco Clasico between Creamline and Choco Mucho after the first game between Petro Gazz and Akari.