MANILA, September 10 ------ Creamline bolstered its bid for a grand slam in the 2024 season of the Premier Volleyball League with an entertaining four-set win over Cignal HD, at the Mall of Asia Arena. The Cool Smashers recovered from a blip in the third set to defeat the HD Spikers, 25-18, 29-27, 17-25, 25-20, and secure the first spot in the championship match of the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference.
Already the winners of the All-Filipino and Reinforced Conferences, the Cool Smashers are now just two wins away from a sweep of the Invitational and of all three championships that the PVL has to offer this season. "Syempre masaya kasi nakabalik ulit kami sa finals so, may chance kami na maka-champion ulit," Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses said after the match. "About Cignal naman, talagang di rin sila bibitaw talaga hanggang dulo so, happy ako dahil nakuha namin yung panalo ngayon."
Import Erica Staunton powered the Cool Smashers with 27 points built on 25 kills, while Michele Gumabao added 19 points and Reinforced Conference MVP Bernadeth Pons had a triple-double of 15 points, 17 digs, and 20 receptions. The Cool Smashers withstood a 35-point explosion from Cignal HD import MJ Perez, with Ces Molina adding 19 points.
After a comfortable win in the opener, Creamline was pushed to the brink in the second set, with Perez keeping the HD Spikers in the hunt. A clutch hit by Staunton finally put them at set point, 28-27, and an attack error by Perez gave the Cool Smashers a 2-0 advantage. Perez's scoring barrage proved unstoppable in the third frame, but Creamline regrouped in Set 4 with Pons delivering some crucial hits. They ultimately pounced on attack errors by Roselyn Doria and Perez to secure the victory.
As a team, the HD Spikers committed 23 unforced errors. It was their first loss of the conference after winning their first two assignments. Nonetheless, they still have a chance to make it to the finals should they beat defending champion Kurashiki Ablaze in their match on Wednesday at the PhilSports Arena. Creamline will gun for a sweep of the preliminary round against Farm Fresh on the same day. The one-game final is set on Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
Comments