Creamline Cool Smashers close in on the Open Conference title. PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Creamline fended off six set points by PetroGazz to eke out a 25-16, 23-25, 25-12, 32-30 victory Wednesday night and move just a win way from taking the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference championship at Mall of Asia Arena.
Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos fought off the Angels’ repeated attempts in the extended fourth set by hammering winners of them own and put the Cool Smashers in the cusp of a first ever professional title.
The Cool Smashers will go for it in Game 2 of their best-of-three finals on Friday at Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Valdez and Carlos finished with 25 points each, while Jema Galanza added 17.
Creamline threatened to make it a lopsided match after a first set rout on a 15-9 spike count over PetroGazz, which hasn’t won over the Cool Smashers in the last eight encounters.
Leading in the second, 18-15, the Angels grabbed the opportunity after back-to-back blocks on Tots Carlos allowed them to tie the score at 22.
And after a few more exchanges, Remy Palma hit successive aces to yank the set win and tie the match. In that period, Creamline tried to bury PetroGazz in attacks, 19-10, but committed eight unforced errors.
Yet it’s a strong enough momentum to stop the Cool Smashers who came out in the third set firing from all angles via Jema Galanza, Jeanette Panaga and Carlos. Creamline out-attacked the PetroGazz, 20-7, in the period where Angels top spiker Myla Pablo checked out due to cramps.