One will seek some sort of validation, the other a little bit of solace in the PVL’s quick yet short return with the start of the two-week Invitational Conference on Thursday when PLDT and Chery Tiggo renew a brewing rivalry that started just five days ago.

The effects of celebrating their first title still yet to wear off, the High Speed Hitters open their hunt for the next one at 6:30 p.m. at PhilSports Arena when they battle the Crossovers, with PLDT obviously wanting to get this done in a more authoritative way compared to their five-set win in the On Tour finals.

“We’re going to go back to training, work hard and bring the same confidence we had from the On Tour,” the comebacking Kim Kianna Dy, who nailed the title-winning point last Sunday, had said. “It’s a fresh start, and we’re focused on showing up strong.”

Creamline and Cignal open up the tournament at 4 p.m., with the Cool Smashers itching to get back to their ways after missing the On Tour finals.

Chery Tiggo made that game one to remember, when it rallied from two sets down to forge a decider, only to be outclassed when the pressure was at its highest. And that is something that the Crossovers would like to address as they treat this tournament like all the others that they have played.

“We’re treating this as a chance to grow by playing against top-tier guest teams,” said veteran Crossover middle blocker Aby Maraño. “These teams are really strong, so we’re committed to continuous learning.

“Our team core is still evolving, so we need to work even harder to find out what else we can bring after the On Tour.”

La Salle roots

Aside from being protagonists of the preseason finale, the two teams are linked by the roots of their core. Maraño and fellow veteran Ara Galang come from the same La Salle program that also produced PLDT standouts like Dy, Majoy Baron, Mika Reyes, Kim Fajardo and Alleiah Malaluan.

“We’re genuinely happy for them,” Galang said after losing to her fellow former Lady Spikers, most whom she played with at the defunct F2 Logistics ball club.

“[E]ven if we’re not teammates anymore, we’re still happy for each other,” added Maraño in Filipino.

Also seeing action are Japanese guest teams Kurashiki Ablaze, the 2023 champions, and the debuting Kobe

Shinwa University squad.

Incidentally, it was also agreed upon by all teams that the semifinal results between PLDT vs. Creamline and Chery Tiggo vs. Cignal will be carried over here to free up a day on the tight schedule and have the tournament conclude before September.

That would give all teams a one-day rest but will have them starting the tournament with PLDT and Chery Tiggo carrying 1-0 records and Creamline and Cignal starting at 0-1.

“The short break is part of the job. That’s just how it is,” said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort. “You celebrate, rest a bit, and then it’s back to work. We’ll try to recover, then it’s grind time again.”

Kurashiki will open its campaign on Saturday against Kobe Shinwa, which looks to finally make an impact after pulling out of last year’s tournament due to health concerns back home.