May 3 ------ CREAMLINE lived to fight another day by turning back prelims tormentor Petro Gazz, 25-27, 25-23, 27-25, 26-24, in a thrilling four-setter in front of a 5,291-strong crowd in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals at the PhilSports Arena. With Creamline's backed against the wall, Jema Galanza’s triple-double of 23 points, 16 digs and 14 receptions saved the Cool Smashers’ title-repeat bid for their 24th head-to-head victory against the Angels in 30 league matches.
More importantly, the Cool Smashers staved off elimination in the single-round semifinal as they tied Petro Gazz at 1-1 (win-loss) ahead of the final semifinal playdate in three days’ time. "Happy kami na nailaban namin. May mga parts ng game na parang 'Kakayanin pa ba namin?' 'Makakahabol ba kami?' 'Mananalo ba kami?' pero inisip lang namin na sa dami ng pagsubok namin ngayong conference, ang dami nang nagdududa sa'min, pero kami, ito, nasa harap niyo, kami 'yung mga taong hindi mawawala 'yung tiwala sa isa’t isa," said Galanza. "When you play that kind of game na talagang dikit lang, wala ka nang ibang iisipin kundi paano ka lang maka-score ng points. Dami na rin naming pinagdaanan, lalo na ngayong conference. Meron kaming mga games na talo and we tried to really learn from those losses," the returning Tots Carlos added, who pitched in 21 markers on 17 attacks, three blocks and one ace.
Carlos, who went undrafted in the Korean V-League following a three-day tryout in Jeju, returned at 1:30 a.m. on Thursday morning and suited up straight away in Creamline's must-win semis match. With all four sets decided by exactly two points, Galanza and Carlos had the lion's share of the Cool Smashers' 62 attacks paired with rock-solid defensive efforts from Denden Lazaro-Revilla (15 receptions) and Kyla Atienza (14 digs). Living up to the match's high-profile billing, the closely-contested match took a turn in the third set when a contentious block touch call on Aiza Maizo-Pontillas (10 points) went Creamline's way to save a set point from 24-25 down and ultimately take the third and fourth sets to keep the Angels at bay.
Back-to-back 22-point outings from Brooke Van Sickle (13 digs and 13 receptions) and Jonah Sabete (10 digs and 19 receptions) paced the Angels' first semis defeat.
Source: spin.ph
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