Creamline is now a win away from securing the first grand slam in professional volleyball history after swiftly defeating Farm Fresh on Wednesday afternoon.
The final-bound Cool Smashers wasted no time in dispatching the Foxies, taking a 25-15, 25-13, 25-19 straight-set win to complete their sweep of the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference preliminaries at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
“Syempre number one, ‘yung rest ng mga players nadagdagan. Dikit-dikit talaga ‘yung games so thankful kami nakuha namin ‘yung panalo before kami maglaro bukas,” said Cool Smashers head coach Sherwin Meneses.
He added, “Syempre ‘yung laban, talagang bukas pa mangyayari so sana maging maganda ‘yung gising namin,” as Creamline prepares to face the winner of the final elimination match between Cignal and Kurashiki in the Final.
Jema Galanza made a triumphant return to the lineup after her duties with Alas Pilipinas, helping Creamline breeze past Farm Fresh in the first two sets.
Despite a slow start in the third set, the Cool Smashers ended the eliminations with a flawless 4-0 record. Galanza, who had missed the entire Reinforced Conference and the first three games of the Invitationals, returned in impressive fashion, contributing a game-high 13 points in just two sets with 11 attacks and two blocks.
“Syempre happy po na nakabalik ulit sa Creamline. ‘Yung adjustment naman po siguro hindi naman na sobrang mag-aadjust kasi palagi naman namin po ginagawa ‘yung trainings namin, ‘yung sistema naman po hindi na bago. So ‘yun,” said the former league MVP.
(C) PVL Images
Bernadeth Pons added eight points, along with 10 excellent digs and eight excellent receptions.
Michele Gumabao contributed seven points despite sitting out the last set of the one-hour, 16-minute match.
American import Erica Staunton also scored five points, playing only in the first set.
Creamline’s offensive effort was well-balanced, with 10 players scoring at least three points. The Cool Smashers dominated Farm Fresh in attacks, 51-31.
The winner-take-all Final of the Invitational Conference will be held tomorrow, Thursday, at 6:00 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
(C) PVL Images
On the other hand, Farm Fresh ended the tournament winless with a 0-4 record. The Foxies’ loss means that Est Cola will advance to the battle for third place, where they will face the loser of the Cignal-Kurashiki match.
Japanese reinforcement Asaka Tamaru led Farm Fresh with 10 points, while Trisha Tubu added six. Rizza Cruz and Alyssa Bertolano each chipped in four points.
