Creamline staved off F2 Logistics in a thrilling five-set match, with a score of 12-25, 25-13, 23-25, 30-28, 15-7, to take the early lead in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference semifinals on Thursday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig, with 6,970 fans in attendance.
The Cool Smashers improved to a 2-0 record while the Cargo Movers dropped to 1-1, tying with Cignal.
F2 Logistics mounted an impressive comeback in the fourth set, rallying from a 20-10 deficit and forcing five deuces, but Creamline’s Ced Domingo and Jema Galanza delivered clutch hits that led to a 30-28 victory and forced a decider.
In the fifth set, the Cool Smashers dominated, racing to a 9-1 advantage and not allowing F2 Logistics to mount a comeback this time.
“Yung F2 talagang ayaw din nila ibigay yung laro sa amin, talagang every conference kapag naglalaban ang F2 saka Creamline pahirapan din,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
“Syempre masaya kami nakuha namin yung panalo dahil lahat ng games sa semis napakaimportante eh, thank you rin ako sa mga players dahil hindi daw sila napagod nang husto pero pagod na pagod na,” he added.
Galanza led the Cool Smashers with 20 points, including 17 attacks, two service aces, and a block, along with nine digs. Tots Carlos contributed 19 points, Alyssa Valdez delivered a vintage performance with 17 points, including crucial kills in the fourth and fifth sets, and Ced Domingo added 16 points, six of which came from blocks.
For F2 Logistics, Myla Pablo gave her all with 27 points, founded on 24 spikes and three blocks, along with eight excellent receptions. Ivy Lacsina added 13 points.
The Cargo Movers missed Kianna Dy, who was absent early in the fourth set and did not return for the rest of the match.
Up next for Creamline and F2 Logistics are matches against Cignal and PLDT, respectively, on Saturday at the same Pasig venue.
