Creamline is now one win away from sweeping the elimination round after defeating Akari in four sets, 26-28, 25-14, 25-23, 25-22, in the Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at the Philsports Arena.
The Cool Smashers initiated a massive rally in the first set to salvage themselves from a slow start but fell short.
However, they quickly rebounded in the next three sets to maintain an undefeated record after 10 games in the tournament.
“Siyempre medyo, noong first set talaga, sayang yung hinabol namin. Medyo slow start. Maikli kasi naging preparation namin, one day. So, happy kami,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
The Cool Smashers established an 18-13 cushion in the fourth set to distance themselves from the Chargers. Then the latter responded with a five-to-nothing run, courtesy of Janine Marciano, Fifi Sharma, and Eli Soyud, tying the game at 18.
Tots Carlos halted the Chargers’ momentum with a back-row hit. A Marciano cross-court hit, followed by an attack error from Jema Galanza, put Akari ahead by one point, 20-19.
That proved to be the closest the Chargers got, as Carlos, Lorie Bernardo, and Jeanette Panaga sealed the victory after two hours and 13 minutes of play.
“Mag-focus na kami sa service atsaka sa coverage kasi talagang matangkad ang Akari talaga eh. Yun lang naman ang ni-remind ko sa kanila, na huwag madaliang sa pagpuntos kasi malalaki sila. Magtiyaga kami sa coverage namin so nag-respond naman,” added Meneses.
Carlos contributed 23 points with 21 attacks and two blocks, while Jema Galanza added 16 points with 11 excellent digs for the Cool Smashers.
Panaga tallied 12 markers, while Alyssa Valdez had nine points. Bernadeth Pons chipped in eight markers in just two sets of play.
On the other hand, the Chargers were playing without ace spiker Faith Nisperos. They were led by Dindin Santiago-Manabat with 13 points on 13 attacks, accompanied by seven excellent digs.
Erika Raagas added 10 markers and 10 excellent receptions on nine attacks and one block, while Fifi Sharma recorded six kill blocks to finish with nine markers.
Creamline will aim to complete the elimination round sweep against Galeries Tower on Tuesday at 4:00 PM.
