Creamline returned to its winning ways by dimming the quarterfinals hopes of sister team Choco Mucho, 25-16, 25-19, 31-29, in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The sweep became possible when the Cool Smashers rallied back from a 14-23 deficit in the third set and held on in the extension. Pangs Panaga denied Royse Tubino at 30-29, followed by a cross-court hit by Erica Staunton for the win.
“Syempre masaya kami at naka-recover kami dun sa third set after ng two sets win namin. Siguro magpapataas [ito] ng morale. Na-challenge ‘yung team namin dun sa third set, medyo malayo ‘yung hinabol so happy kami na naka-recover kami,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
The Cool Smashers improved to 5-2, tying with the Chery Tiggo Crossovers for fourth to fifth places. Creamline holds the tiebreaker due to superior match points (17-15).
With this Creamline win, Petro Gazz (4-3) and Capital1 (4-3) will also clinch spots in the quarterfinals, leaving one spot remaining to be contested by Farm Fresh (3-4) and Choco Mucho (2-5).
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Staunton led the Cool Smashers with 19 points and seven digs, while three of her teammates also reached double figures. Bernadeth Pons finished with 12, Michele Gumabao had 11, and Bea De Leon contributed 10.
Panaga ended up with eight points, including five blocks, as the winners dominated the blocking department, 14-5.
Creamline will end its preliminary round against the winless ZUS Coffee on Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
(C) PVL Images
Choco Mucho will first hope for a Farm Fresh loss on Tuesday against Akari before seeking a win against PLDT on Thursday for a chance at a playoffs spot.
Dindin Manabat was the lone Flying Titan in double digits with 10 points and seven digs, while Greek import Zoi Faki and Maika Ortiz each had seven points.
