Celine Domingo holds her Finals MVP trophy after helping Creamline capture the PVL Invitational Conference crown. PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Holding a handful of confetti, Celine Domingo was ready to celebrate and congratulate Creamline’s Finals MVP moments after the Cool Smashers clinched the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference title on Sunday.
Domingo couldn’t have prepared herself for what came next as the 23-year-old middle blocker was caught off guard when she was named Finals MVP.
“I have no idea. As in blank. Actually, I am holding confetti because I’m ready to shower it to the Finals MVP,” said Domingo in Filipino.
The Cool Smashers rushed to a shocked Domingo and hugged her to celebrate her Finals MVP plum.
The Far Eastern University standout rose to the occasion in the gold medal match, nailing four blocks to finish with 11 points as Creamline overpowered KingWhale Taipei, 25-21, 25-19, 25-8, for its second straight championship this season.
“Actually, I really did my part, what I can contribute to the team,” she said.
“I made sure to stay composed and have the mindset to help my team every rally, every point.”
Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses lauded Domingo’s growth since signing with the team in 2019.
“Ced has been our main middle since the last conference. We just made little adjustments because she really has the height. She adapted the system quickly, especially our blocking pattern,” Meneses said in Filipino.
“She is good at reading the blocks. Congratulations to her. She really deserved to be the Finals MVP with what she showed today,” she added.
Domingo became Creamline’s third Finals MVP, joining previous winners Jia De Guzman and Alyssa Valdez as their club won its fifth crown in seven PVL finals appearances.