Creamline at cusp of pro title
Creamline fights its way to clinch the first professional volleyball league title in Game 2 of the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference best-of-three finals at the PVC Socio-Civic & Cultural Center in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.
The Cool Smashers are battling the Chery Tiggo Crossovers at press time, hoping to follow up on their 25-15, 25-21, 18-25, 19-25, 15-7 Game 1 victory Wednesday night.
In that match, Alyssa Valdez led the charge by drilling in hard-hitting kills including the final point that sealed the win to inch closer to winning the country’s first pro volleyball league crown.
“Coach Tai (Bundit) would always say it’s 0-0 going to the fifth set. So yun lang yung mindset namin and we really gave it all in the fifth set,” said Valdez, who poured all her 21 points at the attack line.
Tots Carlos continued to make waves with her consistent plays by pumping in 26 points including 22 kills and three blocks, while Jema Galanza chipped in 17 points.
Jia Morado also spread the ball well and converted 41 excellent sets on top of seven points highlighted by four aces.
Creamline quickly regained its composure after dropping the third and fourth frames by cruising to a quick 7-2 lead and never looking back.
The Cool Smashers’ victory also overshadowed the efforts of sisters Jaja Santiago and Dindin Santiago-Manabat, who fired 25 and 19 points in a losing effort for the Crossovers.
Meanwhile, the Petro Gazz Angels clinched the bronze medal after making quick work of the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, 2520, 25-18, 25-21, in Game 2 of the battle for third place.
Choco Mucho had the chance to force a fourth set after unloading a mini 4-0 blitz capped by backto-back errors from Petro Gazz to trail at 19-22.
After another quick exchange of points, Myla Pablo hit a solid crosscourt kill to seal the deal for the Angels.
Choco Mucho, for its part, has yet to issue a statetement regarding Maddie Madayag's condition after hurting her left knee from a bad landing in Game 1.