Latest news with #ReinforcedConference
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Sport
- GMA Network
PLDT outlasts Creamline to book first-ever finals appearance in PVL On Tour
PLDT is heading to the championship stage for the first time ever. Savi Davison rained down attacks on Creamline in the deciding set to steer PLDT to a 27-25, 22-25, 19-25, 25-16, 15-10 win in the 2025 PVL On Tour knockout semifinals on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Filipina-Canadian outside spiker poured eight points in the fifth frame as the High Speed Hitters turned back the multi-titled Cool Smashers, booking their spot in the championship round against Chery Tiggo. The win also allowed PLDT to extend its unbeaten run to seven games after going undefeated in group stage with a 5-0 card and sweeping ZUS Coffee in the quarterfinals. Davison, who missed the group stage action after staying in Canada for a while, starred in the final frame, which she opened with back-to-back kills from the left wing before another kill from her sent PLDT to a momentum-setting 3-1 start. But Creamline showed poise behind the clutch shots from veteran spiker Jema Galanza, who converted three points to fuel a 4-2 rampage and help Creamline pull within one point, 9-10. But the Cool Smashers couldn't halt Davison as the high-flying spiker unleashed three consecutive attacks, including a sharp cut shot that gave PLDT a 13-9 lead. They then clinched the match point off a costly attack error from Alyssa Valdez for a 14-9 advantage. Michele Gumabao saved one point for Creamline on an opposite kill, but Davison put the punctuation by avoiding the two-woman block of Sheena Toring and Gumabao to steer PLDT to its first-ever finals appearance. PLDT came close to a finals stint in 2024 when it tangled with Akari in the semifinals of the Reinforced Conference. But controversy marred the match following a non-call late in the fifth set, which eventually allowed the Chargers to take the victory and march to the finals against Creamline. —JMB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
01-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
PVL: Erika Santos dazzles as Cignal beats Creamline for the first time in three years
Erika Santos shone anew for the red-hot Cignal as the HD Spikers picked up their first win over Creamline after three years with a 25-22, 25-18, 28-26 victory in the PVL On Tour on Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre. The opposite hitter scattered 18 points anchored on 14 attacks, two blocks, and two aces to help Cignal preserve its unbeaten run with a 3-0 slate in Pool B while also dealing the Cool Smashers their first loss to go 2-1. Cignal had to overcome multiple deficits early in Set 3 with Sheena Toring bringing Creamline to a 16-14 lead off a quick hit. But Cignal went on a surge after Santos served up an ace to fuel a 4-0 run that allowed them to take an 18-16 cushion. Heather Guino-o then came up big at the right time, unleashing two kills in a 5-2 blast that saw the HD Spikers take a 23-18 advantage. Creamline, though, displayed its championship poise after Michele Gumabao soared for the cross court hammer before Santos committed back-to-back attack errors as the Cool Smashers forced a 24-all deadlock. It was Ishie Lalongisip who would finish it off after she connected on two consecutive attacks from the left side, the last of which she punished the floor defense of Alysa Valdez, to deliver the victory. Lalongisip posted 15 points laced with 10 receptions and seven digs while Roselyn Doria chipped in 10 markers to mark Cignal's first win against Creamline since the 2022 Reinforced Conference semifinals. —JMB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
05-06-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Michelle Cobb announces retirement from volleyball
Michelle Cobb is hanging up her jersey, announcing her retirement from volleyball after years of playing competitively in the UAAP and the PVL. The 26-year-old setter said she's leaving the game for good to open a new chapter in her life. "After years of love and dedication to the game, I've decided to close this chapter. I'm retiring with a grateful heart, proud of everything this journey has given me," Cobb said in a heartfelt Instagram post Wednesday night. "To everyone who's been part of this journey, thank you for being family. " Cobb is a celebrated playmaker in both the amateur and the professional scene. She once helped De La Salle University clinch two UAAP titles in Seasons 79 and 80 to complete a three-peat feat. She then moved on to the bigger stage, suiting up for F2 Logistics before transferring to Akari, which was then making its PVL debut back in 2022. With the Chargers, Cobb was able to guide young guns like Faith Nisperos, Fifi Sharma, Celine Domingo, and Ivy Lacsina. Together, they would help the franchise reach its first-ever finals appearance during the 2024 Reinforced Conference. But Cobb said it's time she stepped away from the taraflex. "As I step away from the game, I carry the strength, love, and determination it gave me. This isn't the end — just a new chapter, written with the same heart that played every point." —Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
02-06-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Tina Salak replaces Taka Minowa as Akari head coach
Tina Salak has been named as the new head coach of the Akari Chargers. Akari announced the development on Monday, a day after the team also announced that Taka Minowa has parted ways with the Chargers. "A respected name in women's volleyball, Coach Tina will be serving as head coach for the upcoming season," Akari said. "Under her steady guidance, we trust that our Chargers are in good and very capable hands. We can't wait to see what new heights our Chargers can achieve under her leadership!" Salak has been with the Akari coaching staff since 2024 and is also the head coach of the FEU Lady Tamaraws in the UAAP. Minowa, meanwhile, joined the Chargers in 2024. He steered Akari to its first runner-up finish in the 2024 Reinforced Conference, followed by a bronze medal finish in the recent All-Filipino Conference. "We have to say goodbye to this important member of our Akari family, but he will always be an important part of our journey thus far," the Chargers said in their post. "Thank you to Coach Taka for your cool yet compassionate leadership and never-ending commitment to making our talents bloom; you led our team to our best finish in PVL history, and that will always stay with us." Aside from Minowa, the team also bid farewell to Cath Almazan, Ysa Bakabak, and coaches Rodel Canino, Yuga Hayashi, and Vilet Ponce de Leon. Earlier, Capital1 also announced Jorge De Brito as its new head coach and appointed Roger Gorayeb as consultant. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
