Defending champion Creamline bounced back in dominant fashion, sweeping Akari with a commanding 25-18, 25-19, 25-19 victory in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference round-robin semifinals on Tuesday at the packed Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Cool Smashers, reeling from a four-set upset against the Petro Gazz Angels at the start of the semis last Saturday, leveled their record at 1-1 to keep their Finals hopes alive.
Both Creamline and Akari now share identical 1-1 records, but the Cool Smashers hold the tiebreak advantage with three match points compared to the Chargers’ two.
“Syempre, napaka-importante ng game kasi parang do-or-die sa amin yung games. Para makabawi, stay focus[ed] lang talaga. Teamwork, nandoon pa rin. Hindi pwedeng mag-blame kung sinong may kulang,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
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Determined to respond after a sluggish start, Akari came out strong in the second set, racing to a 13-8 lead. However, the Cool Smashers quickly regained control, unleashing a 17-6 run fueled by Pangs Panaga, Bea de Leon, Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos, and Bernadeth Pons to move within a set of victory.
The 10-time PVL champions then displayed their trademark poise in the third set. Pons, Valdez, and Panaga spearheaded a decisive surge, turning a slim 14-13 lead into a 25-19 clincher, sealing the bounce-back win in just one hour and 31 minutes.
Pons was everywhere for Creamline, delivering a stellar triple-double performance with 17 points, 15 excellent receptions, and 12 digs.
“Lahat naman talaga kami naka-mindset yan. Nire-ready kami ni coach, mentally and physically kung ano trabaho namin sa loob. May kanya-kanya kaming role sa likod,” said Pons.
“Pag nasa harap kami, papalo kami. Pag nasa likod naman kami, dedepensa kami. So, ‘yun lang, ginawa ko lang din ‘yung trabaho ko and sobrang thankful lang din kasi gumana talaga lahat.”
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Carlos and Panaga chipped in 13 points each, while setter Kyle Negrito orchestrated the offense masterfully with 24 excellent sets while adding four points of her own.
Creamline will wrap up its semifinal campaign against Choco Mucho on Thursday at 6:30 PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
On the other hand, Akari will take on Petro Gazz earlier at 4:00 PM.
Eli Soyud, who erupted for 34 points in Akari’s previous win against the Flying Titans, led the Chargers with 11 points. Ivy Lacsina contributed eight points along with 11 receptions and eight digs, while Faith Nisperos tallied seven points and 10 receptions.
