Creamline tabs title berth; Motolite alive

Creamline put away PetroGazz, 21-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-13, to nail the first finals berth in the Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Open Conference Saturday night at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Alyssa Valdez spearheaded the Cool Smashers attack with a series of hits and Jema Galanza, Michelle Gumabao, Pau Soriano, Risa Sato and playmaker Jia Morado also chipped in to help finish off the Angels, 2-0, and put the team on track for another crown.

Valdez, the leading MVP candidate, and the rest of Creamline take a break today as BanKo-Perlas and Ateneo-Motolite slug it out in sudden death for the other championship seat.

Game time is at 2 p.m.

Earlier, Motolite-Ateneo finally beat BanKo-Perlas, 25-21, 25-20, 26-24, to force sudden death.

In a game they could not afford to lose, the young Lady Eagles blew two match points but pulled through on a BanKo miscue and Bea de Leon’s resounding block off Dzi Gervacio as they finally put one over their veteran rivals, who swept them in three meetings this conference.

“It’s time for mental toughness and you have to be perfectly brave,” said coach Oliver Almadro reminded his wards after BanKo forced a tie at 24 in the third frame.