MANILA – All eyes will be on Bernadeth Pons and Vanie Gandler as Creamline and Cignal open their Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference finals showdown on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The best-of-three series is expected to highlight a duel between two of the league’s standout performers, with Creamline banking on Pons while Cignal leans on Gandler to deliver in crucial moments.
Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses acknowledged that preparation and conditioning will be vital, but he also pointed to Pons as a key factor in their championship bid.
Pons, who played a major role in Creamline’s semifinal run, said the team remains focused on finishing the job despite the challenges ahead.
“We know every point will be hard-earned. We have to give everything from practice to game day because our goal is to win the championship,” she said.
The Creamline star tallied 28 points against PLDT in the semifinals before adding 17 and 12 in matches against Cignal and Farm Fresh.
After winning a Grand Slam in 2024, Creamline struggled to reclaim the title last season and is now determined to bounce back.
Meanwhile, Gandler has emerged as a driving force for Cignal, especially after her dominant performance in their semifinal win over Creamline, where she registered 24 points, 10 digs, and 10 receptions.
The former Ateneo standout credited her teammates for her growth and Cignal’s strong showing this season.
“We succeed because we trust each other. It’s always about the team,” she said.
Gandler also stressed that reaching the finals is not enough, as Cignal continues to build a winning mindset.
“We train like champions every day. We’re praying for the title, but we know it comes with hard work and discipline,” she added.
ia/xf
