Despite going undefeated in their matches and only dropping one set in pool play, Ced Domingo is well aware that she did not perform up to her own game and standard.
Coming into the semis, there is only one thing on Domingo’s mind — regaining her deadly form for Creamline.
And so she did on Thursday, scoring 16 points, built on a game-high six blocks, to help the Cool Smashers survive the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers in five sets, 12-25, 25-15, 23-25, 30-28, 15-7.
The 23-year-old Far Eastern University product now looks to build on and sustain her performance in hopes of helping Creamline’s title defense.
“Honestly po, I know in myself that the past games were not really my best. So going into the semis, that’s what I focused on, to bring back my game. With that, I was able to contribute,” said Domingo.
After their 10-point advantage in the fourth set turned into a 23-all deadlock in the derby between Creamline and F2 Logistics, the five-foot-nine middle blocker made sure to keep their composure in check.
This indeed paid dividends in the Cool Smasher’s fightback as they were able to weather the Cargo Movers’ storm, surviving an intense extended fourth set behind two quick hits from Domingo and Jema Galanza to close, 30-28.
“Maraming beses na rin naman po namin na-experience yung ganyan. I think one thing is we kept our composure din po para ma-end yung set,” shared Domingo.
Now holding a 2-0 slate in the semi-finals, Domingo looks to rally behind Creamline’s consistent training in hopes of learning and unlearning all the lessons and realizations needed to maintain their clean conference record.
“Aside from training, one thing din po na pinanghuhugutan namin ng lakas is syempre yung isa’t isa po and yung mga families namin, yung coaches namin, management namin, so nakakahelp po talaga kapag meron kang pinaghuhugutan ng lakas,” Domingo added.
Domingo and the Cool Smashers look to keep their clean slate against surging Cignal on Saturday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig. (Ernest Martin Tuazon)
