Surging Creamline ‘peaking just in time’ ahead of PVL Finals

Creamline Cool Smashers. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

ANTIPOLO CITY, Philippines—There’s no doubt that Creamline has been the hottest team in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference.

The Cool Smashers’ three-set sweep of Pacifictown-Army, 25-12, 25-18, 25-13, in Game 2 of the semifinals marked their 11th straight win in the tournament and they will head into the finals against PetroGazz with all that momentum.

Star opposite hitter Michelle Gumabao, however, was quick to downplay their winning streak.

“We purposely forgot about those 11 wins, nobody’s thinking about that,” said Gumabao Saturday at Ynares Center here. “We’re peaking just in time.”

The Cool Smashers are eyeing a second straight Reinforced title and third overall.

PetroGazz and Creamline are 1-1 in their head-to-head during the elimination round and both teams hold a 9-1 record before the semifinals, and Gumabao said they’ll bank on their experience as an advantage over the Angels.

The Cool Smashers have been to the finals three straight times while the Angels are on their first title series.

“There’s always something new because this is another opponent that we will face in the finals,” said Gumabao who had eight points against the Lady Troopers. “We just have to be consistent as a team, consistent in our teamwork, consistent in our practices.”

“Almost everyone of us has experience in the finals and our imports are also veterans especially Ale [Blanco]. She’s not easily rattled and she always plays composed.”