Creamline Cool Smashers in the PVL Invitational Conference. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Defending champion Creamline dropped a set for the first time this 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference but the Cool Smashers kept their cool and still took down the also-ran Akari Chargers, 25-19, 24-26, 26-24, 25-19, on Saturday at Philsports Arena.
Jema Galanza and Tots Carlos sustained their fine play while team captain Alyssa Valdez continued to show flashes of her lethal form to complete a four-game Pool A sweep before heading to the semifinal round.
Galanza led the charge with 16 points on top of seven excellent receptions. Carlos delivered 14 points as they head to the round-robin semifinal starting Thursday next week, facing the top two Pool B teams and visiting Japanese squad Kurashiki Ablaze and Vietnam’s Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh.
“Our team’s pace was a bit slow in today’s game but at least we were challenged before heading to the semis. I hope that we will be able to fix our lapses after this round,” said Galanza in Filipino.
Creamline’s Alyssa Valdez. –PVL PHOTO
Valdez, who recovered from a right knee injury, had another double-digit game with 12 points and nine digs.
“It’s nice to actually play full games. With this level of competition, I’m just really grateful that I’m given this opportunity by my coaches to play,” she said. “I’m just really grateful for the opportunity and when I play, I would really want to contribute to the team.”
The Chargers, who are already relegated to the classification round even before their game, put up a gallant stand and dealt the Cool Smashers first-set defeat in the second frame behind the efforts of Faith Nisperos and Dindin Santiago-Manabat.
Akari brought the momentum in the third and reached set point behind the clutch attacks of Manabat, 24-22. But Celine Domingo refused to give up and saved a point followed by two consecutive attack errors from Ezra Madrigal and Chiara Permentilla to steal the advantage, 25-24.
Galanza ended the set to regain a 2-1 match advantage and pulled away in the fourth behind the timely hits of substitute setter Kyle Negrito, who scored three straight points including two aces to ignite a 7-0 run for a 23-16 spread en route to a group sweep.
Creamline setter Jia De Guzman had 24 excellent sets, as middle blockers Domingo and Jeanette Panaga chipped in 11 points each.
Manabat and Nisperos finished with 18 points each, while Trisha Genesis had 10 points, 12 receptions, and eight digs as they remained winless in three games.
Akari will try to end the group stage on a high note when it battles Gerflor on Tuesday before heading to the classification stage.