Creamline moved closer to the coveted grand slam after taking down Cignal in four sets, 25-18, 29-27, 17-25, 25-20 to secure a spot in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference Final, Monday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Cool Smashers stayed focused on their ultimate goal, bouncing back from a tough third-set loss to secure the win in four sets. They improved their record to a league-best 3-0, remaining the only unbeaten team in the five-team field.
“Syempre masaya kasi nakabalik ulit kami sa finals so, may chance kami na makachampion ulit. About Cignal naman, talagang di rin sila bibitaw talaga hanggang dulo so, happy ako dahil nakuha namin yung panalo ngayon,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
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American reinforcement Erica Staunton picked up where she left off, unleashing 27 points on 25 attacks, a block, and an ace to go along with 14 excellent digs in the two-hour and 15-minute triumph over the Reinforced Conference bronze medalists.
Michele Gumabao added 19 points on 16 attacks and three service aces, while Bernadeth Pons showcased another all-around game of 15 points, 20 excellent receptions, and 17 excellent digs.
Kyle Negrito glued things together for the Cool Smashers with 22 excellent sets to go along with seven big points on three aces, two blocks, and two attacks, while Kyla Atienza tallied 18 excellent receptions.
“Today, alam namin na pagnakuha namin ‘tong game na ‘to, malaki ‘yung magiging advantage at chance namin na makapunta ulit ng finals. I’m happy na nakuha namin and alam din namin na hindi magiging madali, pero siguro naging patient lang din kami for today’s game kaya nakuha namin ‘yung panalo,” said Negrito.
After breezing past the opener, Creamline escaped a tough second-set tussle with the HD Spikers with Erica Staunton scoring on an off-speed attack to break a 28-all tie before MJ Perez’s attack sailed out which gave the newly-crowned Reinforced Conference champions a 2-0 lead.
The Cool Smashers were caught off guard by Cignal in the third, before running away late in the fourth to finish things off and secure their third consecutive win in the tournament.
Creamline will try to sweep the preliminaries when they face off against Farm Fresh on Wednesday, 4:00 p.m. at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Meanwhile, Cignal, who slid to 2-1, is now tied with defending champion Kurashiki.
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Perez’s tournament-high 35 points on 32 attacks, two blocks, and one ace went down the drain as the surging HD Spikers got halted by the Cool Smashers. She also had 13 excellent receptions in the loss.
Ces Molina was the other double-digit scorer for the squad with 19 points to go along with 11 excellent receptions.
Alas Pilipinas stalwarts Dawn Macandili-Catindig and Vanie Gandler made their much-anticipated return to Cignal.
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The former only came in during the second set but managed to finish with 27 excellent digs, while the latter played only in the final frame.
The HD Spikers will battle the Ablaze for the last seat in the Final also on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.
