Creamline Cool Smashers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Creamline needed to buck another lethargic start before completing an 11-game elimination round sweep with a 19-25, 25-16, 25-14, 25-13 victory over Galeries Tower in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) second All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at Philsports Arena.
The Cool Smashers dropped the opening set for the second game in a row before Jema Galanza and her teammates got their act together to clinch the top seed and set a semifinal duel against the No.4 Chery Tiggo Crossovers.
“We weren’t able to control the situation in the first set that’s why Galeries got a set. We went back to basics starting in the second set,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses in Filipino.
“Congrats to our players because we finished with an 11-0 record in the elimination but our goal is bigger than the eliminations. We will work harder going to the semis on Thursday.”
Creamline and Chery Tiggo open their semifinal series on Thursday at the same venue in Pasig City.
Galanza finished with 12 points, while Bernadeth Pons also stepped up with 10 points and 12 excellent receptions with Alyssa Valdez sitting out in the match to rest.
Setter Kyle Negrito dished out 17 excellent sets, as Tots Carlos, Rose Vargas, and Jeanette Panaga contributed eight points each. Lorie Bernardo and Michele Gumabao added seven points.
“I just played my game because my coaches and ates gave me their trust inside the court. I wanted to apply everything I learned in practice,” said Bernardo in Filipino. “We will keep our focus on training and continue to follow the instructions of our coaches.”
Galeries Tower only won one of its 11 matches in its maiden PVL conference with Roma Joy Doromal being the lone bright spot for the Highrisers with 13 points.