It’s not like Creamline needed to polish its legacy with a crown won in style.
Still, the Cool Smashers captured their ninth title by doing what 10 other teams failed to do in the PVL Reinforced Conference: Stop the Akari Chargers.
And they did it without their top gunners, too.
“I am proud of all of our championships all the same, but this is more satisfying because we achieved this even if we are missing some players,” coach Sherwin Meneses said in Filipino in the middle of celebrations witnessed by 8,289 fans clad in pink on Wednesday at PhilSports Arena.
Ten times, teams faced Akari in this tournament. Ten times, they lost.
Against Creamline, however, the Chargers were the ones without answers.
That 10-game streak melted in the face of a blistering 25-15, 25-23, 25-17, shutout that turned an intriguing matchup into one where, after two sets, everyone was just awaiting the final count.
And the key wasn’t really that complicated.
“With the hard work of our players, we got this championship,” Meneses said.
It was the second Reinforced title of Creamline who despite the absence of stars Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza found itself still at the top of the food chain even while ending the elimination round at the middle of the pack with a 6-2 (win-loss) record.
It ousted two-time defending champion Petro Gazz in the knockout quarterfinals before surviving a five-set thriller in its semifinal clash against bronze-medalist Cignal.
The HD Spikers claimed third place with a 20-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-23, victory against PLDT earlier in the day.
Meneses put the team’s offense on the shoulders of another trio: Veteran Michele Gumabao, first-time MVP winner Bernadeth Pons and young import Erica Staunton.
“I am so happy, thank you Lord!,” Pons, who was named Reinforced Conference MVP after the match, said. “Especially since this is my first Reinforced [championship] with Creamline and I am so happy that we got the championship.”
Pons injected 19 points built on 14 attacks and five aces and highlighted an all-around performance with 12 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions.
Staunton added 13 points on nine kills, three blocks and an ace while Gumabao chipped in 10 points. Kyle Negrito had 17 excellent sets in running the Cool Smashers’ offense.
Pons landed an emphatic combination play as the crowd erupted with chants of MVP and brought all momentum to Creamline’s way. With nerves of steel, the Far Eastern product sneaked an ace and to make things official, Pangs Panaga hammered in a quick attack.
Meneses hopes that once his key starters are reintegrated back to the roster, the team will continue building on the success of those who stepped up in their absence.
“We still have a lot of room to grow because our bench players are still young and I hope Creamline’s achievements continue,” Meneses said. INQ
It’s not like Creamline needed to polish its legacy with a crown won in style.
Still, the Cool Smashers captured their ninth title by doing what 10 other teams failed to do in the PVL Reinforced Conference: Stop the Akari Chargers.
And they did it without their top gunners, too.
“I am proud of all of our championships all the same, but this is more satisfying because we achieved this even if we are missing some players,” coach Sherwin Meneses said in Filipino in the middle of celebrations witnessed by 8,289 fans clad in pink on Wednesday at PhilSports Arena.
Ten times, teams faced Akari in this tournament. Ten times, they lost.
Against Creamline, however, the Chargers were the ones without answers.
That 10-game streak melted in the face of a blistering 25-15, 25-23, 25-17, shutout that turned an intriguing matchup into one where, after two sets, everyone was just awaiting the final count.
And the key wasn’t really that complicated.
“With the hard work of our players, we got this championship,” Meneses said.
It was the second Reinforced title of Creamline who despite the absence of stars Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza found itself still at the top of the food chain even while ending the elimination round at the middle of the pack with a 6-2 (win-loss) record.
It ousted two-time defending champion Petro Gazz in the knockout quarterfinals before surviving a five-set thriller in its semifinal clash against bronze-medalist Cignal.
The HD Spikers claimed third place with a 20-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-23, victory against PLDT earlier in the day.
Meneses put the team’s offense on the shoulders of another trio: Veteran Michele Gumabao, first-time MVP winner Bernadeth Pons and young import Erica Staunton.
“I am so happy, thank you Lord!,” Pons, who was named Reinforced Conference MVP after the match, said. “Especially since this is my first Reinforced [championship] with Creamline and I am so happy that we got the championship.”
Pons injected 19 points built on 14 attacks and five aces and highlighted an all-around performance with 12 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions.
Staunton added 13 points on nine kills, three blocks and an ace while Gumabao chipped in 10 points. Kyle Negrito had 17 excellent sets in running the Cool Smashers’ offense.
Pons landed an emphatic combination play as the crowd erupted with chants of MVP and brought all momentum to Creamline’s way. With nerves of steel, the Far Eastern product sneaked an ace and to make things official, Pangs Panaga hammered in a quick attack.
Meneses hopes that once his key starters are reintegrated back to the roster, the team will continue building on the success of those who stepped up in their absence.
“We still have a lot of room to grow because our bench players are still young and I hope Creamline’s achievements continue,” Meneses said. INQ