Cignal looks to complete the 2023 PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference semifinals cast while Creamline is out to sweep the elimination round which ends on Tuesday, December 5 at the PhilSports Arena.
The fourth seed HD Spikers try to clinch the last semifinals berth at the expense of also-ran Gerfor Defenders at 2 p.m., as the top-ranked Cool Smashers aim to sweep the tourney against another eliminated team in the Galeries Tower Highrisers at 4 p.m.
Cignal last saw action on November 25 when it swept the Nxled Chameleons, 25-17, 25-14, 25-14, to rise to 7-3 with 22 points and put itself on the cusp of a semis berth.
The HD Spikers are virtually into the best-of-three semifinals, needing just a win either via sweep or in four, to formalize it but even a 5-set loss will be enough for them to enter the Final Four.
A 5-set loss will give Cignal one point for a total of 23, one more than what joint fifth-ranked teams PLDT and Petro Gazz, both 6-4 with 19 points each, could gain. Albeit unlikely, a 3 or 4-set loss will put the HD Spikers semis bid in peril.
In that case, Cignal does not gain any point and remains with 22, giving a chance to either the High Speed Hitters or the Angels, who are to clash at 6 p.m., to sneak in and get the last semis spot.
A 3 or 4-set win would give either PLDT or Petro Gazz a 7-4 record and 22 points to tie Cignal and could break that tie with points ratio (attained by division of sets won over sets lost by a team). As it stands, the HD Spikers have 23 sets won and 15 sets loss (1.53), the High Speed Hitters have 22 over 13 (1.69), and the Angels 23 over 14 (1.64).
This is why coach Shaq Delos Santos doesn't want his team to be complacent especially against a Gerflor team looking to end its conference on a high note and finally pick up a win in the PVL.
"We have a lot to work on and we have to be consistent especially during long rallies. This is going to be a tightly-contested battle in the semifinals but of course we need to focus on Gerflor. We can't be complacent and we really need to win it going to the semifinals."
The defending champs Cool Smashers, on the other hand, look to stay perfect and be the no. 1 team heading to the semis.
At 10-0 with 29 points, all Creamline needs is to win in three or four sets to be the no. 1 team but even a 5-set loss will do as the Alyssa Valdez-lead team, in that event, gets a point for a total of 30, enough to stay ahead of Choco Mucho which is second with 10-1 and 29 points only.
But just in case the Highrisers pull off what could be the biggest upset in perhaps all of Philippine volleyball, which is to beat the talent-laden Cool Smashers via sweep or in four, the Flying Titans will be the no.1 team heading to the semifinals.
Should the scenario materialize, Creamline would go down with 10-1 slate and a points ratio of 3.44 (30 sets wins over 9 losses), if beaten in 4, or 3.33, if beaten via sweep (30 over 9). That's because Choco Mucho sports a higher points ratio of 4.42 (31 over 7).
