Creamline’s foundation of system and chemistry shone brightly once again on Saturday evening, propelling them to the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference Finals.
Cignal started strong, taking the first set 25-20 and then winning the second set 28-26, putting them just one set away from reaching the championship round.
However, the Cool Smashers, true to their championship pedigree, fought back with resilience. The eight-time PVL champions turned the tide in the third set with a dominant 25-18 victory.
Cignal responded in the fourth set, reaching match point at 24-21 after a quick kill by Rose Doria.
Despite the deficit, Creamline’s perseverance did not waver. Erica Staunton scored back-to-back points, and a Cignal error helped force a deuce.
Although Pangs Panaga’s overreaching fault gave Cignal back the lead, Staunton and Kyle Negrito combined for three consecutive points to push the match to a fifth set.
In a grueling three-hour and four-minute battle before 11,438 fans at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Creamline emerged victorious, 20-25, 26-28, 25-18, 27-25, 15-13.
(C) PVL Images
“Siyempre number one is mag-focus lang kami dun sa situation sa third set. Lagi kong sinasabi sa team na ‘wag intindihin ‘yung set, ‘yung kada situation na point ‘yung mag-focus kami,” said Cool Smashers head coach Sherwin Meneses.
“May tiwala talaga ako sa team namin na makakabalik, pero sana ‘wag na maulit [‘yung ganun]. It’s a team effort talaga, ‘yung situation, ‘yun ang magaling ang Creamline eh,” he added.
Staunton delivered a career-best 38 points with 36 attacks, a block, and an ace, while Bernadeth Pons added 28 points, 24 receptions, and 17 digs.
Creamline is now one win away from securing another gold, and they will face a formidable opponent in Akari.
The Chargers had defeated the PLDT High Speed Hitters in five sets to secure their spot in the Final. They remain undefeated in the conference with a 10-0 record.
“Honestly, wala pa akong masasabi diyan. Kasi naka-focus kami ngayon sa Cignal, so we have one day to prepare, saka ko lang siguro masasagot para sure ako kung anong adjustment gagawin namin sa Akari. Sa ngayon talaga, naka-focus kami sa Cignal,” said Meneses as he prepares for the final showdown.
