HIGHLIGHTS: 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference knockout semifinals (2024)

Aug 31, 2024 2:10 PM PHT

JR Isaga

Akari keeps its historic, undefeated campaign going against veteran PLDT, while star-less Creamline survives Cignal in a five-set thriller in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference knockout semifinals

MANILA, Philippines – It will be a sea of pink in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference knockout final as the Akari Chargers and Creamline Cool Smashers arrange a winner-take-all match, after respectively dispatching the PLDT High Speed Hitters and Cignal HD Spikers in a pair of thrilling five-set finishes.

Akari, still undefeated at 10-0, reached its first franchise final in a controversial 25-22, 18-25, 22-25, 26-24, 17-15 escape over PLDT, while star-less Creamline rallied from two sets down to stun Cignal off a back-to-back Reinforced finals bid, 20-25, 26-28, 25-18, 27-25, 15-13.

CIGNAL HD SPIKERS VS CREAMLINE COOL SMASHERS

FIFTH SET

• FINAL: The Creamline Cool Smashers mount a stunning reverse sweep of the Cignal HD Spikers to reach the PVL Reinforced Conference finals, 20-25, 26-28, 25-18, 27-25, 15-13.
• CREAMLINE 14-13: Jackie Acuna quick attack.
• CREAMLINE 14-12: Erica Staunton cross.
• CREAMLINE 13-12: MJ Perez cross.
• CREAMLINE 13-11: MJ Perez cross.
• CREAMLINE 13-10: Erica Staunton cross.
• CREAMLINE 12-10: Ces Molina off the block, ending the long rally.
• CREAMLINE 12-9: Michele Gumabao off the block.
• CREAMLINE 11-9: Erica Staunton quick hit. Timeout Cignal.
• CREAMLINE 10-9: Michele Gumabao off the block.
• CREAMLINE 9-9: Kyle Negrito bad set.
• CREAMLINE 9-8: Pangs Panaga blocks Riri Meneses. Timeout Cignal.
• CIGNAL 8-8: Bernadeth Pons off the block.
• CIGNAL 8-7: Ces Molina off the block.
• CIGNAL 7-7: MJ Perez attack error, long.
• CIGNAL 7-6: Michele Gumabao off the block.
• CIGNAL 7-5: Erica Staunton backrow hit.
• CIGNAL 7-4: Ces Molina cross.
• CIGNAL 6-4: Ces Molina off the block.
• CIGNAL 5-4: MJ Perez cross.
• CIGNAL 4-4: Chin Basas service error, net.
• CIGNAL 4-3: Jackie Acuna quick attack.
• CIGNAL 3-3: Riri Meneses service error, wide.
• CIGNAL 3-2: Chin Basas off the block.
• CIGNAL 2-2: Erica Staunton through the block.
• CIGNAL 2-1: Ces Molina blocks Michele Gumabao.
• CIGNAL 1-1: Michele Gumabao off the block.
• CIGNAL 1-0: Kyle Negrito net touch.

FOURTH SET

• END OF SET 4: Creamline digs deep to force a decider over Cignal, 27-25.
• CREAMLINE 26-25: Kyle Negrito blocks MJ Perez.
• CIGNAL 25-25: Pangs Panaga overreach, Erica Staunton off the block.
• CIGNAL 24-24: MJ Perez net touch.
• CIGNAL 24-23: Erica Staunton cross.
• CIGNAL 24-22: Erica Staunton cross.
• CIGNAL 24-21: Rose Doria quick attack.
• CIGNAL 23-21: Bernadeth Pons off the block. Timeout Cignal.
• CIGNAL 23-20: Ces Molina through the block.
• CIGNAL 22-20: MJ Perez backrow hit.
• CIGNAL 21-20: Bernadeth Pons off the block.
• CIGNAL 21-19: Ces Molina down the line.
• CIGNAL 20-19: Bernadeth Pons combi play.
• CIGNAL 20-18: Jackie Acuna blocks Bernadeth Pons.
• CIGNAL 19-18: Bernadeth Pons down the line. Timeout Cignal.
• CIGNAL 19-17: Chai Troncoso service error, long.
• CIGNAL 19-16: MJ Perez cross. Creamline timeout.
• CIGNAL 18-16: Michele Gumabao attack error.
• CIGNAL 17-16: Chai Troncoso foot fault.
• CIGNAL 17-15: Erica Staunton cross.
• CIGNAL 17-14: Chai Troncoso cross.
• CIGNAL 16-14: Ces Molina attack error.
• CIGNAL 16-13: Ces Molina off the block.
• CIGNAL 15-13: Michele Gumabao through the block.
• CIGNAL 15-12: Rose Doria net touch.
• CIGNAL 15-11: Chin Basas blocks Bea de Leon.
• CIGNAL 14-11: Kyle Negrito service error.
• CIGNAL 13-11: Bernadeth Pons cross.
• CIGNAL 13-10: Rose Doria quick attack error, long.
• CIGNAL 13-9: Bernadeth Pons cross.
• CIGNAL 13-8: Pangs Panaga quick attack, wide. Cignal 6-0 run.
• CIGNAL 12-8: Gel Cayuna 1-2 play spike. Cignal 5-0 run.
• CIGNAL 11-8: Bernadeth Pons attack error, long. Timeout Creamline.
• CIGNAL 10-8: Jackie Acuna quick attack.
• CIGNAL 9-8: Gel Cayuna joust win over Pangs Panaga.
• CREAMLINE 8-8: Jackie Acuna quick attack.
• CREAMLINE 8-7: Pangs Panaga quick attack.
• CIGNAL 7-7: Bernadeth Pons off the block.
• CIGNAL 7-6: MJ Perez off the block.
• CIGNAL 6-6: Erica Staunton cross.
• CIGNAL 6-5: MJ Perez cross.
• CREAMLINE 5-5: Chai Troncoso combi play.
• CREAMLINE 5-4: Cignal rotation error.
• CIGNAL 4-4: Erica Staunton off the block.
• CIGNAL 4-3: Erica Staunton off the block.
• CIGNAL 4-2: Michele Gumabao attack error, wide.
• CIGNAL 3-2: MJ Perez off the block.
• CIGNAL 2-2: Erica Staunton cross.
• CIGNAL 2-1: Chai Troncoso down the line.
• CIGNAL 1-1: Gel Cayuna service error, net.
• CIGNAL 1-0: Michele Gumabao attack error, wide.

THIRD SET

• END OF SET 3: Kyle Negrito scores back-to-back aces. Creamline rides an 8-1 finish to survive the match, 25-18.
• CREAMLINE 24-18: Kyle Negrito ace. Creamline 7-1 run.
• CREAMLINE 23-18: Ishie Lalongisip attack error, not over. Creamline 6-1 run.
• CREAMLINE 22-18: Michele Gumabao off the block.
• CREAMLINE 21-18: Bernadeth Pons off the block.
• CREAMLINE 20-18: Jackie Acuna quick attack.
• CREAMLINE 20-17: Bernadeth Pons off the block. Creamline 3-0 run.
• CREAMLINE 19-17: MJ Perez attack error. Cignal timeout.
• CREAMLINE 18-17: Bernadeth Pons off the block, successful Creamline challenge.
• CREAMLINE 17-17: Creamline error. Cignal 4-0 run.
• CREAMLINE 17-16: Jackie Acuna quick attack. Timeout Creamline.
• CREAMLINE 17-15: MJ Perez cross.
• CREAMLINE 17-14: MJ Perez cross.
• CREAMLINE 17-13: Erica Staunton cross.
• CREAMLINE 16-13: MJ Perez cross.
• CREAMLINE 16-12: Erica Staunton hit off the floating ball.
• CREAMLINE 15-12: MJ Perez off the block.
• CREAMLINE 15-11: Erica Staunton cut shot.
• CREAMLINE 14-11: Risa Sato hit off the floating ball.
• CREAMLINE 13-11: Gel Cayuna net touch.
• CREAMLINE 12-11: Gel Cayuna ace.
• CREAMLINE 12-10: Bernadeth Pons backrow hit, long.
• CREAMLINE 12-9: Erica Staunton cross. Creamline 4-0 run.
• CREAMLINE 11-9: Michele Gumabao cross.
• CREAMLINE 10-9: Ces Molina attack error, net.
• CIGNAL 9-9: Bernadeth Pons off the block.
• CIGNAL 9-8: Jackie Acuna ace. Cignal 4-0 run.
• CREAMLINE 8-8: Michele Gumabao down the line, wide.
• CREAMLINE 8-7: Ces Molina cross.
• CREAMLINE 8-6: Jackie Acuna quick attack.
• CREAMLINE 8-5: Bernadeth Pons off the block, successful Creamline block touch challenge.
• CREAMLINE 7-5: Creamline error.
• CREAMLINE 7-4: MJ Perez off the block.
• CREAMLINE 7-3: Bernadeth Pons off-speed hit.
• CREAMLINE 6-3: Jackie Acuna quick attack.
• CREAMLINE 6-2: Riri Meneses service error, net.
• CREAMLINE 5-2: Riri Meneses blocks Risa Sato.
• CREAMLINE 5-1: Erica Staunton scores.
• CREAMLINE 4-0: Erica Staunton cross.
• CREAMLINE 3-0: Michele Gumabao cross.
• CREAMLINE 2-0: Cignal error.
• CREAMLINE 1-0: Erica Staunton cross.

SECOND SET

• END OF SET 2: MJ Perez ends the long frantic rally for the 2-0 set lead, 28-26.
• CIGNAL 27-26: Chin Basas cross.
• CIGNAL 26-26: Bernadeth Pons off the block.
• CIGNAL 26-25: Chin Basas blocks Bernadeth Pons.
• CIGNAL 25-25: Erica Staunton cross.
• CIGNAL 25-24: Ces Molina cross.
• CIGNAL 24-24: Bernadeth Pons off the block.
• CIGNAL 24-23: Erica Staunton service error, stepping on the line.
• CIGNAL 23-23: Bernadeth Pons off the block.
• CIGNAL 23-22: Unsuccessful Cignal floor touch challenge.
• CIGNAL 23-21: Erica Staunton cross. Timeout Cignal.
• CIGNAL 23-20: Jackie Acuna scores. Timeout Creamline.
• CIGNAL 22-20: Michele Gumabao off the block.
• CIGNAL 22-19: MJ Perez off the block.
• CIGNAL 21-19: MJ Perez off the block.
• CIGNAL 20-19: Erica Staunton scores.
• CIGNAL 20-18: MJ Perez blocks Michele Gumabao.
• CIGNAL 19-18: MJ Perez off the block.
• CIGNAL 18-18: Pangs Panaga quick attack.
• CIGNAL 18-17: Bernadeth Pons cross.
• CIGNAL 18-16: Chin Basas cross.
• CIGNAL 17-16: Bernadeth Pons cross.
• CIGNAL 17-15: Gel Cayuna ace.
• CIGNAL 16-15: Creamline attack error for Cignal 2nd TTO.
• CREAMLINE 15-15: Bea de Leon service error, long.
• CREAMLINE 15-14: Erica Staunton backrow hit.
• CREAMLINE 14-14: Ces Molina down the line.
• CREAMLINE 14-13: Erica Staunton off the block.
• CREAMLINE 13-13: Gel Cayuna 1-2 play.
• CREAMLINE 13-12: Bea de Leon blocks Jackie Acuna.
• CIGNAL 12-12: MJ Perez down the line, wide.
• CIGNAL 12-11: Jackie Acuna quick attack.
• CIGNAL 11-11: Erica Staunton cross.
• CIGNAL 11-10: Pangs Panaga attack error, long, unsuccessful Creamline challenge.
• CREAMLINE 10-10: Pangs Panaga net touch, successful Cignal challenge.
• CREAMLINE 10-9: Erica Staunton cross to end the long rally.
• CIGNAL 9-9: Pangs Panaga running attack.
• CIGNAL 8-8: Bernadeth Pons off the block.
• CIGNAL 8-7: Creamline attack error.
• CREAMLINE 7-7: Kyle Negrito error.
• CREAMLINE 7-6: Jackie Acuna service error, long.
• CREAMLINE 6-6: Gel Cayuna 1-2 play.
• CREAMLINE 6-5: Erica Staunton down the line.
• CREAMLINE 5-5: Michele Gumabao service error, long.
• CREAMLINE 5-4: Chin Basas service error, net.
• CREAMLINE 4-4: MJ Perez cross.
• CREAMLINE 4-3: Erica Staunton cross.
• CREAMLINE 3-3: Bernadeth Pons service error.
• CREAMLINE 3-2: Bernadeth Pons cross.
• CREAMLINE 2-2: MJ Perez cross.
• CREAMLINE 2-1: Ces Molina through the block.
• CREAMLINE 2-0: Bernadeth Pons back-to-back points.
• CREAMLINE 1-0: Bernadeth Pons cross.

FIRST SET

• END OF SET 1: Cignal powers through Creamline for the opener, 25-20.
• CIGNAL 24-20: MJ Perez off-speed.
• CIGNAL 23-20: Erica Staunton cross.
• CIGNAL 23-19: MJ Perez blocks Michele Gumabao. Unsuccessful in/out challenge. Timeout Creamline.
• CIGNAL 22-19: MJ Perez cross.
• CIGNAL 20-19: Erica Staunton down the line.
• CIGNAL 20-18: Pangs Panaga quick attack. Timeout Cignal.
• CIGNAL 20-17: Bernadeth Pons off-speed.
• CIGNAL 20-16: Ria Meneses blocks Erica Staunton.
• CIGNAL 19-16: Ces Molina off the block.
• CIGNAL 18-16: Bernadeth Pons down the line.
• CIGNAL 18-15: Ces Molina off the block.
• CIGNAL 17-15: Erica Staunton cross.
• CIGNAL 17-14: Erica Staunton service error, long.
• CIGNAL 16-14: Erica Staunton cross.
• CIGNAL 16-13: MJ Perez hit off the floating ball.
• CIGNAL 15-13: Erica Staunton attack error.
• CIGNAL 14-13: MJ Perez down the line.
• CIGNAL 13-13: Cignal attack error.
• CIGNAL 13-12: Chin Basas off the block.
• CIGNAL 12-12: Michele Gumabao blocks MJ Perez.
• CIGNAL 12-11: Erica Staunton attack error, not over.
• CIGNAL 11-11: Ria Meneses net touch.
• CIGNAL 11-10: Pangs Panaga quick attack.
• CIGNAL 11-9: MJ Perez cross.
• CIGNAL 10-9: MJ Perez cross.
• CIGNAL 9-8: MJ Perez off the block.
• CIGNAL 8-8: Bea de Leon ace.
• CIGNAL 8-6: Bernadeth Pons down the line goes wide.
• CIGNAL 7-6: MJ Perez off the block.
• CIGNAL 6-6: Erica Staunton ace.
• CIGNAL 6-5: Erica Staunton cross.
• CIGNAL 6-4: Chin Basas blocks Erica Staunton.
• CIGNAL 5-4: Erica Staunton hit off the floating ball.
• CIGNAL 5-3: Ria Meneses quick attack.
• CIGNAL 4-3: Erica Staunton cross.
• CIGNAL 4-2: MJ Perez blocks Michele Gumabao.
• CIGNAL 3-2: MJ Perez off the block.
• CIGNAL 2-2: Erica Staunton off-speed hit.
• CIGNAL 2-1: Bernadeth Pons off the block.
• CIGNAL 2-0: Chin Basas off the block.

• CREAMLINE STARTERS: Michele Gumabao, Kyle Negrito, Bea de Leon, Pangs Panaga, Bernadeth Pons, Erica Staunton, Kyla Atienza (L)
• CIGNAL STARTERS: Ces Molina, Chin Basas, Jackie Acuna, MJ Perez, Ria Meneses, Gel Cayuna, Judith Abil (L)

AKARI CHARGERS VS PLDT HIGH SPEED HITTERS

PVL | WATCH:

Clarity on THAT controversial call.

Akari head coach Taka Minowa explains how the "second motion" net touch cannot be called a net touch violation because the ball was already in the back row and thus, the player grazing the net was out of play.#PVL2024 pic.twitter.com/67XjCMcWUM

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 31, 2024

PVL | STATS:

Oly Okaro, Ivy Lacsina, and Grethcel Soltones lead Akari's heated, final-clinching win over PLDT!

Lena Samoilenko, Erika Santos, and Fiola Ceballos pace the crushing ouster loss.#PVL2024 pic.twitter.com/jr7WztuNCB

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 31, 2024

PVL | WATCH:

The historic final-clinching moment for the Akari Chargers and a moment of absolute heartbreak for the PLDT High Speed Hitters.#PVL2024 pic.twitter.com/hMEBchgI94

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 31, 2024

FIFTH SET

• FINAL: The undefeated Akari Chargers reach their first franchise finals appearance in controversial fashion: a heated five-set escape of the PLDT High Speed Hitters, 25-22, 18-25, 22-25, 26-24, 17-15.
• Akari 17-15: Lena Samoilenko attack error, not over.
• Akari 16-15: Kim Fajardo failed save.
• PLDT 15-15: Grethcel Soltones off the block.
• PLDT 14-13: Huge delay on PLDT’s net touch challenge.
• PLDT 14-13: Ivy Lacsina clutch cross.
• PLDT 14-12: Erika Santos off the block.
• PLDT 13-12: Oly Okaro off the block.
• PLDT 13-11: Ysa Bakabak rookie jitters, service error.
• PLDT 12-11: Ivy Lacsina finds the angle and scores. Timeout PLDT.
• PLDT 12-10: Ivy Lacsina net touch. Oly Okaro off-speed.
• PLDT 11-9: Oly Okaro cross.
• PLDT 11-8: Celine Domingo injury. Oly Okaro net touch.
• PLDT 10-8: Lena Samoilenko cross goes long.
• PLDT 10-7: Lena Samoilenko cut shot goes wide.
• PLDT 10-6: Lena Samoilenko cross as PLDT breaks away.
• PLDT 9-6: Lena Samoilenko cross. Timeout Akari.
• PLDT 8-6: Lena Samoilenko cross for the TTO.
• PLDT 7-6: Kamille Cal 1-2 play.
• PLDT 7-5: Erika Santos off the block.
• PLDT 6-5: Ivy Lacsina booming cross.
• PLDT 6-4: Akari crucial missed foot fault challenge on Lena Samoilenko.
• PLDT 5-4: Oly Okaro off the block.
• PLDT 5-3: Erika Santos off the block.
• PLDT 4-3: Oly Okaro blocks Lena Samoilenko.
• PLDT 4-2: Lena Samoilenko through the block.
• PLDT 3-1: Lena Samoilenko with a booming kill, sending the ball to the lower box.

FOURTH SET

• END OF SET 4: Ivy Lacsina scores an ace to force a deciding Set 5 over PLDT, 26-24.
• Akari 25-24: Oly Okaro cross.
• Akari 24-24: Fiola Ceballos through the block.
• Akari 24-23: Ivy Lacsina down the line.
• PLDT 23-23: Oly Okaro off the block.
• PLDT 23-22: Erika Santos down the line.
• PLDT 22-22: Oly Okaro quick answer.
• PLDT 22-21: Lena Samoilenko off the block.
• PLDT 21-21: Oly Okaro equalizer cross.
• PLDT 21-20: Kamille Cal bad mis-set.
• Akari 20-20: Lena Samoilenko soft shot for the PLDT tie off the 3-1 run. Timeout Akari.
• Akari 19-17: Fiola Ceballos attack error, followed by a redemption score.
• Akari 16-13: Majoy Baron net touch as Akari gets 2nd TTO.
• Akari 15-13: Oly Okaro solid block on Lena Samoilenko.
• PLDT 8-7: Fiola Ceballos scores to get the 1st TTO over Akari.

THIRD SET

• END OF SET 3: Ivy Lacsina goes out on the cross as PLDT steals the 2-1 lead, 25-22.
• PLDT 24-22: Lena Samoilenko snags the net for the lucky ace.
• PLDT 20-19: Jovy Prado scores an ace for the first lead over Akari.
• Akari keeps control over PLDT, 16-13.
• Akari gets the quick start this time over PLDT, 8-3.

SECOND SET

• END OF SET 2: PLDT bounces back over Akari for the 1-1 tie, 25-18.
• PLDT stays ahead of Akari, 16-12.
• PLDT with another strong start over Akari, 8-2.

FIRST SET

• END OF SET 1: PLDT blows a 15-8 lead as Akari erupts to a 25-22 win.
• Akari 18-17: Ivy Lacsina pushes Akari ahead with the soft touch. 10-2 run.
• PLDT 17-17: Oly Okaro booming kill for the 9-2 run.
• PLDT 15-12: Grethcel Soltones off the block. Akari 4-0 run.
• PLDT jumps to a big 15-8 start over Akari.

PVL | STATS:

Per the PVL broadcast, Akari's Oly Okaro and PLDT's Lena Samoilenko are headed for the perfect semifinal matchup this afternoon.

BOTH have exactly:

220 points on 199 attacks, 14 blocks, and 7 aces for the conference so far.#PVL2024

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 31, 2024

Preview

Only four teams remain in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference as the knockout playoffs mechanic adds a quicker, higher-stakes twist to all title aspirations.

After promptly ending the runs of Chery Tiggo, Farm Fresh, Capital1, and former two-time defending conference champion Petro Gazz in the do-or-die quarterfinals, top-seeded Akari, Cignal, Creamline, and PLDT are now on a thrilling semifinal collision course on Saturday, August 31, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

All teams get an unexpected, but much welcomed two days of rest after a power outage forced the PVL to postpone its Thursday, August 29 semis schedule.

Undefeated Akari first takes on veteran PLDT at 2:30 pm on Saturday, featuring a clash of top scoring imports Oly Okaro for the Chargers and Lena Samoilenko for the High Speed Hitters.

Meanwhile, severely shorthanded Creamline pushes its unique narrative further against consistent Cignal around 4:30 pm, as the likes of Erica Staunton, Bernadeth Pons, and Michele Gumabao carry the load anew for the different-looking Cool Smashers.

Import MJ Perez, former MVP Ces Molina, and three-time Best Setter Gel Cayuna are expected to again lead the HD Spikers.

One wrong move or one slow start from any team can spell certain doom. Who will blink and crash next?

– Rappler.com