Creamline saved the best for last, dominating KingWhale Taipei in three sets, 25-21, 25-19, 25-8 to claim the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference title, Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Cool Smashers, who won the Open Conference last May, delivered the franchise’s second straight title — their fifth in seven Finals appearances.
“Siguro mas lamang kami ng rest sa KingWhale. Talagang siguro ‘yung third set, almost hindi na rin sila makakilos ng maganda, siguro sa pagod,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses as the Taipei-based squad already played in four consecutive days prior to the finals.
“Pero napaka-tiyaga talaga ng KingWhale, napakalakas ng depensa. Siguro, lamang kami ng rest ng isang araw, ‘yun siguro ang naging key,” he added.
It was sweet revenge for the side of Creamline as they avenged their five-set loss against KingWhale in the semifinals.
Leading the charge for the Cool Smashers is Conference Most Valuable Player Tots Carlos, who scored 14 points. Jema Galanza added 13 markers while Finals MVP Ced Doming had 11 on five attacks, four blocks, and two aces.
Alyssa Valdez, who was a game-time decision for Creamline after suffering an ankle sprain in their final game of the semis, scattered nine points, 13 excellent digs, and eight excellent receptions while Jia De Guzman tossed 19 excellent sets to go along with nine digs and two points.
After fending off KingWhale in the opening set, the Cool Smashers crawled back from a 10-16 deficit via a 15-3 blast led by Michelle Gumabao and Kyle Negrito.
It was all Creamline from there, burying KingWhale early in the third set to come out with a lopsided 25-8 win.
The victory meant that the Rebisco-backed squad will represent the Philippines in the 2022 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Cup this August 21.
Brazilian reinforcement Bea Carvalho topped the Taiwan club with 12 points while Liao Yi-Jen, who received the Best Setter award, later on, had 16 excellent sets in the loss.
