Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
It was not the kind of ending Creamline might have wanted, a key call on an error that cut short PetroGazz’s bid to force a decider.
Anticlimactic as the win was, though, it did push the Cool Smashers closer to the crown.
A crucial error helped Creamline hold off PetroGazz, 24-26, 25-16, 25-16, 25-22, in Game 1 of the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference finals on Wednesday at Filoil Flying V Centre.
Cherry Nunag overreached a drop, committing the Angels’ 31st error and turning a celebration of a point into a stunned acceptance of a surrendered set—and match.
Even the Creamline celebration was dampened by the delay of the final call but even then, the Cool Smashers moved within a win of defending their crown.
“It was a crucial call but I think it was a judgment call of the referee and we could also see it on the replay,” said Creamline captain Alyssa Valdez in Filipino.
“For me, of course I’m a little bit biased, the ball was still within our court because if you’re called with an overreaching call you’re preventing the other side from continuing their play.”
Michelle Gumabao found the spot on a crosscourt kill and Valdez notched an ace to give the Cool Smashers a 23-20 lead but the Angels responded with two straight points from Chie Saet and Janisa Johnson.
Ale Blanco then scored on an off-the-block kill that gave Creamline three match points.
In the earlier match, BanKo-Perlas logged a 25-27, 10-25, 27-25, 26-24, 16-14 victory over PacificTown Army to move a win from claiming third place.