Can choco spoil party?

MANILA, Philippines — By nighttime Saturday, Creamline’s place as the greatest PVL team ever could or should be secured. 

Unless, of course, Choco Mucho can come up with a tidal wave of a performance and change the landscape. 

But until it happens, the Cool Smashers could sweep their way to the All-Filipino Conference title in today’s Game Two 2 of their title series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

It was evident in its 25-23, 19-25, 26-24, 25-22 Game 1 win Thursday at the MOA Arena that the mighty and proud dynastic franchise remained a head above the competition, including a supremely talented Choco Mucho team out to secure its own place in history. 

Just like its older sibling.

That title, if secured, would be No. 7 for Creamline – the most by any club that ever joined the league since its inception almost two decades ago. 

It will also be the Cool Smashers’ 13th straight podium finish – another league milestone – in a magnificent stretch wherein they also snared three runner-up finishes and the same number of third-place efforts. 

It wouldn’t be the first time for Creamline to sweep a conference. They also did it last year in the Open Conference. 

And the competition prays it won’t become a habit. 

But Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses, as unassuming as he is, doesn’t want to count the chickens before the eggs hatch.

“Hindi pa tapos. Kailangan pa magtrabaho,” said Meneses. 

Expected to lead the charge is no less than its unquestioned leader, team captain Alyssa Valdez. 

Valdez wasn’t even the top scorer in the opener. Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza were with 16 points apiece. 

But the face of Philippine volleyball was behind the scenes doing the “unsexy” but vital things like digging where she had 11 and receiving where she had eight. 

Most important of all, Valdez’ omnipresence was more felt because of her strong leadership. 

She wasn’t taking the credit alone though. 

“It was a collective effort,” said Valdez.