Photo from PVL
MANILA, Philippines — Defending champion Creamline outlasted Chery Tiggo, 25-15, 25-21, 18-25, 19-25, 15-7, to take Game 1 of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Open Conference Finals Wednesday night.
Alyssa Valdez carried Creamline with 21 points, including timely hits in the deciding set, as the Cool Smashers regrouped after blowing a two-set lead.
“We’re just really thankful everything worked [out] for us during the fifth set,” Valdez said after the five-set thriller at PCV Socio-Civic and Cultural Center in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.
“Of course, we really can’t count out Chery Tiggo and we know that. But we’re just really blessed that everyone was all in. Our mindset was to really give our all during the fifth set and it showed.”
Valdez also drew ample support from her teammates with Tots Carlos, Jia Morado and Jema Galanza starring in their respective roles.
Carlos tallied a game-best 26 points, Morado dished out 41 excellent sets with seven points to boot while Galanza did a little bit of everything with 17 points, 18 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions.
Santiago sisters Jaja and Dindin led the way for Chery Tiggo with 25 and 19 points, respectively.
The Crossovers try to level the best-of-three title series on Thursday.