PVL semis: No time to blink

MANILA, Philippines — From 12 teams, it’s now down to four.

With an eye at gaining the early upperhand in the race to the finals, Creamline clashes with Petro Gazz and Akari tangles with Choco Mucho in today’s start of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference semifinals at the Ynares Center Antipolo.

The Cool Smashers face off with a familiar foe, the Angels, at 6:30 p.m. for a win that will be all too important since the semis is just a short single-round robin format where a loss might end one’s campaign.

“I don’t like it,” said Petro Gazz’ Japanese coach Koji Tsuzurabara on the prospect of facing the mighty Cool Smashers first.

Creamline will bring its championship pedigree on the line as it hopes to inch closer to making it to the best-of-three finals and a shot at a five-peat feat or an 11th crown overall – both league marks.

“Every game matters so we have to prepare hard,” said Creamline mentor Sherwin Meneses.

Akari, for its part, is eyeing its second finals appearance since making it that far in the Reinforced Conference last year but falling short against Creamline.

Same with the Flying Titans, who are looking for a third finals stint after making it twice last year and the year before, and on both times losing at the hands of their elder sisters, the Cool Smashers.

Game time is at 4 p.m.

“Hopefully, we’ll get another shot,” said Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin.