CREAMLINE looks to stay unscathed as the defending champion faces Capital 1 in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series at the Santiago Sports Arena in Santiago, Isabela, on Thursday. Undefeated through three matches, the Cool Smashers take on the Solar Spikers at 6 p.m. The ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles and the PLDT High Speed Hitters open the double-header at 3:30 p.m. Creamline is coming off a 25-19, 16-25, 26-24, 25-17 win against Zus Coffee last Saturday to lead the league with nine points. Making her PVL return after serving as team captain of the Alas Pilipinas national team at the Asian Games, Jia De Guzman tossed 17 excellent sets to orchestrate the Cool Smashers’ offense. “It’s great. I love the level that we’re playing at, and of course, I love being back home with Creamline,” said De Guzman. The eight-time PVL Best Setter said it is always a joy to play with her teammates again. “It’s also exciting because we get to compete against other teams and see the talent within our own team and among our opponents. The challenge is also there on the coaching side,” she said. “But at the same time, as a setter, I also have the challenge of figuring out how to distribute the ball among the players our coaches want us to utilize. So far, we’ve identified our teammates’ strengths, and it’s up to us to figure out how to make the most of them. Our teammates have responded well,” she added. Alongside hitters Bernadeth Pons, Pangs Panaga and Tots Carlos, De Guzman looks to continue to steer the Creamline against a Capital 1 side eager to bounce back from a loss. The Solar Spikers fell to the High Speed Hitters last Saturday, 25-21, 21-25, 21-25, 21-25. The Bella Belen-led Capital 1 fell to 2-2 with five points for sixth place. Meanwhile, PLDT looks to get a winning streak going after a breakthrough win against Capital 1 last timeout. Led by ace spiker Savi Davison, the High Speed Hitters (1-2) aim to climb from the cellar they are currently in with the Thunderbelles. ZUS is equally determined, if not more, especially being winless through three games. The Thunderbelles put up some fight but fell short against the Cool Smashers last Saturday.