Creamline Cool Smashers, led by Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos, showcased their winning prowess in another thrilling five-set match against Cignal. The Cool Smashers emerged victorious with a score of 23-25, 25-16, 25-21, 24-26, 15-10, solidifying their chances of retaining their title in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference. The match took place at Philsports Arena on Saturday.
Carlos played a crucial role for the Cool Smashers, preventing a collapse with her stellar performance. As the winningest Most Valuable Player in the PVL, Carlos contributed 27 points to the team’s victory. Valdez, on the other hand, continued to shine with 22 points, including 18 attacks, two aces, and a block.
Jema Galanza also had an outstanding game, contributing 21 points, 17 digs, and eight excellent receptions. Libero Ella De Jesus made the most of her playing time, showcasing her skills with 19 digs. With this win, the Cool Smashers maintained an impressive record of 3-0 in the semifinals and remained undefeated after six games in the tournament.
Carlos expressed her pride in her team’s performance, emphasizing how close games strengthen their bond and composure. She stated, “For our team, the closer the games, the more the players help each other. These five-setter games make the team stronger and more composed. We’re proud of each other.”
In the fourth set, Creamline found themselves trailing 24-21 with substitute players Kyle Negrito and Michele Gumabao on the court. However, with the return of starters Jia De Guzman and Carlos, the Cool Smashers scored three consecutive points and forced a deuce. Unfortunately, a crucial service error from De Guzman and a powerful attack from Ces Molina led to a tie-breaker.
The Cool Smashers quickly regained their momentum in the fifth set, starting with a 9-5 lead. Although Cignal fought back, Creamline managed to secure the victory with strong plays from Valdez and Carlos. This win ended the HD Spikers’ four-game winning streak.
Coach Meneses commended Creamline’s ability to perform well in five-set matches, regardless of the outcome. He expressed his satisfaction, saying, “We’re happy because we’re slowly inching closer to the finals.”
Setter Jia De Guzman played a pivotal role for the defending champions, delivering 33 excellent sets and three aces. She outperformed Cignal’s playmaker Gel Cayuna, who had 19 excellent sets and scored seven points, including four aces.
Looking ahead, Creamline is set to face Vietnam’s Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh on Tuesday at 4 p.m. Meanwhile, Cignal will strive to regain their winning ways against Japan’s Kurashiki Ablaze on Monday at 4 p.m. Both teams are currently tied at 1-2 with F2 Logistics and PLDT.
Molina was the top scorer for the HD Spikers with an impressive 28 points and 11 digs. Rachel Anne Daquis contributed 14 points, while Ria Meneses and Jovelyn Gonzaga added 12 and 11 markers, respectively.
Overall, Creamline’s victory showcased their resilience and determination, further solidifying their position as a top contender in the PVL Invitational Conference.
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