Game 3: BaliPure battles Creamline; Pocari faces Power Smashers

The chase for the two final places comes to a head Thursday as four clubs duke it out in two semifinal Game 3s of the Premier Volleyball League at Philsports Arena.

Creamline and Power Smashers managed to stretch their respective best-of-three series after beating BaliPure and Pocari Sweat late Tuesday via five-set encounters.

Thai reinforcement Kannika Tipachot headed Power Smashers’ come-from-behind 24-26, 22-25, 25-18, 25-23, 15-13 triumph by making 28 points, including a put back that ended the match.

Creamline defeated BaliPure (24-26, 25-18, 18-25, 25-16, 16-14) for the first time this conference in a similar thriller.

“The players really held on to the game. Fortunately the breaks went our way,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses.

Clearly, the foreign reinforcements have leveled the playing field.

For the Cool Smashers, Kuttika Kaewpin and Laura Schaudt took charge, making 23 and 22 points, respectively, to take the cudgels for overworked superstar Alyssa Valdez who still managed to score 15.

Jennifer Keddy is also holding court for BaliPure with a little help from heavy hitting local Gretchel Soltones. Keddy had 23 points, while Soltones had 16.

Power Smashers coach Nes Pamilar said they now have a better mindset and the Game 2 win would improve their morale as well.