Creamline Cool Smashers in a PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals game against Petro Gazz Angels. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
With Tots Carlos back in its fold, Creamline kept its PVL All-Filipino Conference title-retention bid alive after outlasting Petro Gazz, 27-25, 23-25, 27-25, 26-24, on Thursday at PhilSports Arena.
Carlos, who just planed in Thursday midnight after not being selected in the Korean V-League, dropped 21 points built around 17 attacks, three blocks and an ace as Jema Galanza led the Cool Smashers again with 23 points from 20 attacks, two blocks and an ace.
“Ico-congratulate ko yung team namin kasi almost [all] four sets, sobrang intense ng game. Di sila bumigay, naglaro sila ng nasa puso nila. Sabi ko nga sakanila, iba kayo kasi champion team kayo so ipakita natin na malayo pa yung Creamline, kaya pa i-improve. Yun naman lagi yung sinasabi namin,” coach Sherwin Meneses said.
SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals 2024
The Cool Smashers gained solo lead in the semifinal rankings after improving to a 1-1 record despite having an identical standing with the Angels with superior points.
Choco Mucho, (1-0) can snatch that lead if it prevails over No. 4 team Chery Tiggo (0-1) which it is battling as of posting.
“Happy kami na na-ilaban namin, may mga part talaga ng game na parang ‘Kakayanin pa ba namin? Makakahabol ba kami? Mananalo ba kami ngayon?’” Galanza said after adding 16 excellent digs and 14 excellent receptions to her name.
READ: PVL: Creamline has no time to wallow over semis loss, says Galanza
“Pero iniisip lang namin, sa dami ng pagsubok namin ngayong conference, ang daming nagdududa samin pero kami, etong nasa harap niyo, kami yung mga taong di nawawala yung tiwala sa isa’t isa kaya naglaro kami ng lahat,” she added.
Pangs Panaga was solid in the middle and contributed 11 points while Alyssa Valdez finished with 10 points thanks in part to Kyle Negrito’s 26 excellent sets.
Jema Galanza and the Creamline Cool Smashers. –PVL PHOTO
Brooke van Sickle provided 22 points to the Angels from 17 attacks, four blocks and an ace with Jonah Sabete having the same output, 19 coming from attacks. The duo was also involved in Petro Gazz’s floor defense with Van Sickle logging 13 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions while Sabete 10 and 19.
MJ Phillips kept helping the Angels in her return and finished with 17 points, seven coming from Petro Gazz’s 17 blocks. Aiza Maizo-Pontillas contributed 10 points with Djanel Cheng’s 22 excellent sets.
“No. 1 diyan yung trust eh [in motivating players]. Kasi ngayon lang namin naranasan yung … Ako, as a head coach ng Creamline, yung three losses,” Meneses said. “Yung game nandiyan naman palagi eh, so, kung may trust sa isa’t isa, walang masyadong magwo-worry kumbaga, gawin lang yung trabaho and healthy yung team, makakabawi at makakabawi.”
In the contentious end game stretch where Creamline was behind, Galanza unloaded a down the line kill to narrow the margin to just one as Pontillas answered back with a similar attack, 24-22.
Galanza pushed the ball to the hands of Petro Gazz’s net defense before Sabete committed a crucial attack error that tied the game at 24-all. Galanza took Creamline home with two consecutive powerful attacks.
“When you play that kind of game na talagang dikit lang, wala ka nang ibang iisipin kundi kung paano ka lang maka-score ng points,” Carlos said. “Dami na rin naming pinagdaanan, lalo na ngayong conference, meron kaming mga games na talo, and we tried to really learn from those losses.”
“Nakakatuwa lang din kasi wala ni isa sa amin na makikita mo na nag-give up sa game kahit na four points down kami,” she added as the Cool Smashers’ title-retention drive goes through Chery Tiggo.