Creamline Cool Smashers. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Creamline entered the semifinal stages of the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference with an immaculate slate after capping off its elimination round campaign with a come-from-behind win over BanKo Perlas, 21-25, 25-22, 26-24, 28-26, Sunday at Filoil Flying V Centre.
The Cool Smashers ended the preliminary stages with a 7-0 record while the Perlas Spikers (3-4) moved to the brink of elimination.
A loss to Bali Pure in its match against Pocari Sweat will ensure BanKo Perlas of at least a playoff for the fourth spot.
Rosemarie Vargas capped off Creamline’s furious 21-9 rally with an off-the-block kill to finish the match and preserve the Cool Smashers’ perfect card.
“We always tell our players to calm their nerves because this is a no-pressure game for us,” said Creamline assistant coach Oliver Almadro who reserved a semifinals slot since it etched a 5-0 record. “Coach Tai, however, told us to win the game.”
“This sweep just shows how talented our players are and we just don’t depend on Alyssa [Valdez], she’s our leader but other players are capable of stepping up.”
Valdez is in Japan with the national team as they prepare for the Southeast Asian Games and AVC Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship.
Francesca Raqraquin put up a game-high 23 points to lead the Cool Smashers while Vargas and Pau Soriano added 16 and 12 points, respectively.
Kathy Bersola led the Perlas Spikers with 22 points.