Yes they are playing with the pps. but they also know how predictable the chart is so I believe they are doing what they did last time. They are setting up the chart for another run then another sell off eventually. Wash Rinse and Repeat. But every time they do this more shares are gobbled up by smart money so the price moves to higher highs and higher lows.

But I don't think that's going to matter much seeing what is in store short term.