Creamline bucked a slow start to push the Odina Aliyeva-less Choco Mucho to the brink of elimination, 15-25, 25-20, 25-20, 28-26, in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference, Thursday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Tots Carlos took over in the extended fourth set and stepped up for the injured Yeliz Basa. Carlos played her best game for the Cool Smashers so far, dropping 25 points on 18 attacks, six blocks, and one ace. She also had 18 excellent receptions and 16 excellent digs in front of a league-setting 19,157 fans.
Creamline already reached match point, 24-20, after Jia De Guzman converted a 1-2 play. But Jema Galanza’s attack in the following play went out, allowing the Flying TItans to save four match points. That then sent the game to a deuce.
Galanza atoned for her sorry miss and punched an off-the-block hit but Kat Tolentino answered right back to knot the scores at 25-all. Choco Mucho eventually reached match point after a miscommunication between De Guzman and Galanza.
Carlos then saved the day for the Cool Smashers.
The 24-year-old two-time PVL MVP roofed Tolentino, before scoring a down-the-line hit to give her side a one-point edge, 27-26. Galanza then dropped a booming ace to finish off Choco Mucho’s tough stand.
“Nung first set talagang malaking adjustment yung ginawa namin kasi actually yesterday lang talaga napractice yung rotation na ganun. Naging problema nung first set pero syempre kilala naman nila yung isa’t isa, makakabawi naman sila sa mga susunod na gagawin,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
“Kasi medyo may sumakit kay Yeliz (Basa). ‘Di ko alam kung blessing ba sa amin na mag all-Filipino or magiging mahirap sa amin kasi ‘di natin masasabi yung game talaga kanina, maganda yung game both teams. Yes, shoulder e. ‘Di mo naman pwede i-gamble sa game ngayon,” he added as Basa skipped the last two sets due to a shoulder injury.
Ced Domingo continued her consistent play for the Cool Smashers, turning in 15 points on 12 attacks and three aces. Alyssa Valdez had 14 points and 15 excellent digs.
The pair helped their team clinch the top seed after the elimination round with a 7-1 win-loss standing.
De Guzman tossed 24 excellent sets alongside three markers, while Kyla Atienza collected 13 excellent receptions.
On the other hand, the Flying Titans slipped to 3-4. They missed the services of Aliyeva due to health and safety protocols.
Tolentino took the scoring cudgels for Choco Mucho, dropping 24 points on 22 attacks and two kill blocks. Meanwhile, Des Cheng tallied a full line of 17 points on seven attacks, seven aces, and three kill blocks. She also had 16 excellent receptions and nine excellent digs.
Cheng’s seven aces are second-most in the league.
The Flying Titans, whose faith is no longer in their hands, must win their upcoming game against Cignal on Tuesday at 5:30 PM.
