Creamline Cool Smashers celebrate a point against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
What was expected to be a back-and-forth action in the highly-anticipated PVL All-Filipino Conference rematch turned into a one-sided affair after Creamline extended its mastery over sister team Choco Mucho.
The Cool Smashers cruised past the Flying Titans with a 25-17, 25-22, 25-19 rout in front of 17,396 fans at Smart Araneta Coliseum Thursday night to gain a stronger position to move on to the semifinals.
“This win, we’ll take it today; tomorrow is another day, the job is not done yet,” Alyssa Valdez said. “It’s gonna be a long eliminations pa kahit one game na lang yung natitira samin, hindi magiging madali.”
READ: PVL: Still on top, Choco Mucho circles Creamline playdate
Creamline and Choco Mucho now share the lead with 8-2 standings each with Petro Gazz, PLDT and Chery Tiggo closely following behind with a three-way tie at 7-2 card.
Tots Carlos spearheaded the Cool Smashers’ offense with 21 points on 18 kills and three blocks to extend its winning streak over Choco Mucho to 12.
Valdez and Pangs Panaga contributed 11 points apiece while former Flying Titans Bea de Leon and Denden Lazaro-Revilla finished with nine points and 17 excellent receptions, respectively.
“May isa pang game para ma-assure namin yung slot sa semifinals so magta-trabaho muna ulit kami,” coach Sherwin Meneses said as Creamline gears up for its final preliminary matchup against the High Speed Hitters.
“We’re very, very glad that slowly our training has been showing in the game so we’re really happy na lumalabas,” Valdez said. “But sabi nga ni coach, this win, we’ll take it today; tomorrow is another day, the job is not done yet and it’s gonna be a long eliminations pa kahit one game na lang yung natitira samin, hindi magiging madali.”
Creamline stormed right out of the gates and immediately took control of the match with a 2-0 set lead.
READ: Creamline sweeps Choco Mucho, completes PVL ‘three-peat’
The Cool Smashers did not ease off the pedal and continued smashing Choco Mucho to an 11-3 cushion in the decider.
Sisi Rondina, who tried to lift the Flying Titans with 17 attack points, found a spot to hammer a cross court kill followed by a hit from the back row.
Panaga committed an attack error to move Choco Mucho within a five-point margin.
But De Leon was motivated to help her new team move closer to a semifinal slot and swished a down the line hit, 21-13. Royse Tubino, who had seven points made a last ditch effort with a joust to keep Choco Mucho in the game.
But Isa Molde, who had nine points, had her attack meet Panaga, who had five of Creamline’s 14 blocks, at the net for the match point.
“Sabi nga ni coach Sherwin, nasa kamay namin yung chance kung makakapasok ba kami sa second round so yun lang yung lagi namin inaalala,” Valdez said.