Creamline is heading to the Premier Volleyball League finals for the sixth consecutive time.
This, after the Cool Smashers completed its sweep of the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, 23-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-15 in Game Two of the 2022 Open Conference semifinals at the Mall of Asia Arena, Sunday.
Tots Carlos, who dropped 26 in the series opener, sustained her fine form. She had 23 points on 19 attacks, three aces, and a block along with five excellent receptions.
Jema Galanza unleashed 18 points laced with 15 excellent digs. Meanwhile, Alyssa Valdez had 17 points for the streaking Cool Smashers – who extended their winning streak to six games.
“Thankful kami kasi naka-recover kami doon sa first set. Kasi medyo kinapos yung habol namin sa first set,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
“Siyempre, yung maturity ng Creamline nandiyan pa lagi ‘yan kasi medyo yung chemistry is okay na. So maglalaro na lang kami nang maayos, so nakuha namin yung panalo namin,” he added.
The Cool Smashers looked like it was about to pull away after starting the fourth set with a 6-1 blast. Then Bea De Leon’s two consecutive aces powered Choco Mucho’s own 6-1 rally to lock the scores at 7-all.
Carlos and Valdez then waxed hot, leading a fiery 7-0 run to give Creamline a 14-7 lead.
Kat Tolentino’s cross-court spike stopped the bleeding for the Flying Titans, kick-starting a 5-0 blitz. Isa Molde delivered back-to-back hits that trimmed the lead down to just two.
With Choco Mucho closing in, Galanza scored four consecutive points in a 6-1 run, 21-14, to put the Cool Smashers ahead comfortably by seven.
Jeanette Panaga then took the spotlight, converting a block and two consecutive quicks to pull Creamline at match point. Alyssa Valdez put the cherry on top with a combination play.
Panaga rejected three spikes for 10 points. Celine Domingo had four blocks en route to nine markers for the Cool Smashers.
Jia De Guzman delivered 27 excellent sets and six points.
Creamline is gunning for its first professional title in the PVL. It previously lost the title last conference to Chery Tiggo.
Tolentino led the Flying Titans – who once again fell short in the semifinals – with 14 points. Meanwhile, Des Cheng had an all-around game of 13 points, 17 excellent digs, and seven excellent receptions.
Deanna Wong had 25 excellent sets to go along with 15 excellent. De Leon chipped in nine points off the bench while Aduke Ogunsanya and Cherry Nunag had six apiece.
Creamline will face the winner of the Cignal-Petro Gazz match-up in the finals on Wednesday.
