Officially without star hitter Alyssa Valdez for the rest of the tournament, the Creamline Cool Smashers gutted out a five-set win, 25-19, 13-25, 28-26, 18-25, 15-7, to begin their best-of-three PVL Women’s Open Conference semifinals series against the Bali Pure Purest Water Defenders at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
With the league’s four time MVP watching from the bench, the Cool Smashers weathered Bali Pure’s steady advances in each set.
With the match tied at a set apiece, Bali Pure started the third set strong, controlling the action with their gritty effort. Grethcel Soltones brought the Water Defenders to set point, 24-20, signaling Creamline’s resurgence. The Cool Smashers pulled clutch hits from Ging Balse and Rose Vargas. With Bali Pure falling silent, Creamline forced a deuce and took the lead in the match after Rizza Mandapat crushed two blockers.
Creamline were eventually pushed to a fifth set, where they overwhelmed their younger foes. Pulling energy from Rose Vargas, Creamline buried Bali Pure in an 8-1 hole and never looked back.
Cool Smashers assistant coach Oliver Almadro considered his squad the underdogs who showed their indomitable will to win.
“We were playing against all odds. We just promised each other that we will not be afraid. Basta, happy-happy lang,” Almadro stressed. “We were missing Alyssa but we had so many players who stepped and showed they were ready. Ngayon, we need to prepare for tomorrow. Whatever opportunity we’re given, we need to grab it.”
Vargas finished with 19 points, while Pau Soriano managed 18.
Creamline can enter the Finals for the first time in franchise history with a win tomorrow.
Jerrili Malabanan and Grethcel Soltones each pitched in 19 points for Bali Pure.
The Scores
Creamline (3) – Vargas 19, Soriano 18, Mandapat 11, Racraquin 11, Balse 10, Remulla 6, Bravo 0, Cabanos 0, Morado 0, Nunag (L)
Bali Pure (2) – Malabanan 19, Soltones 19, Nabor 13, Sato 13, Urdas 12, Mendiola 3, Cayuna 0, Oliveros 0, Pantone (L)
