Creamline Cool Smashers’ Jema Galanza in the PVL All-Filipino Finals game against Choco Mucho Flying Titans. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Creamline moved within just a win of an eighth Premier Volleyball League crown after dealing Choco Mucho 24-26, 25-20, 25-21, 25-16 heartbreak in Game 1 of the All-Filipino Conference Finals late Thursday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jema Galanza provided for the Cool Smashers 20 points from 18 kills and two blocks. She also had 13 excellent receptions while Tots Carlos produced 17 points, 16 coming from attacks and 12 excellent digs on the defensive end.
“Dagdag morale po samin ‘tong lahat and yung momentum nasa samin,” Galanza said. “Pero sabi nga ni coach [Sherwin Meneses] hindi ito yung time para mag-celebrate kasi isa pa lang po yung naipa-panalo namin. Kailangan namin tapusin ito sa Sunday.”
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Former Choco Mucho captain Bea de Leon scored 11 points against her old crew, five from stopping the offense of the Flying Titans at the net.
Alyssa Valdez only played in the first three sets before being sidelined but still produced nine points as Bernadeth Pons tried to fill in the gap left by Valdez with eight points.
Playing off the bench throughout the all-important game, Michele Gumabao contributed seven points including vital attacks down the stretch of the two hour and 12 minute clash.
WATCH: Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses, Jema Galanza, Bernadeth Pons, and Michele Gumabao share their thoughts after winning Game 1. #PVL2024 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/owLK7u7qqX
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 9, 2024
“Bago mag-start game talagang ni-remind ko sila, yun talagang bench ang magpa-panalo today so nagka-totoo nga,” coach Sherwin Meneses who also utilized back up setter Mafe Galanza.
“Alam ko naman yung Choco Mucho, talagang yung sistema nila nanjan palagi. No. 1 kay coach Dante [Alinsunurin] yung mag-stop ng players so yung bench namin talagang nandiyan palagi yan. Sabi ko nga, teamwork yung magpa-panalo satin hindi lang isa, dalawa, tatlo, talagang lahat yan may goal so sa tingin ko, yun yung nag-panalo today, yung teamwork ng team,’ Meneses added.
READ: As Creamline nears another PVL title, Jema Galanza recalls tough road
Despite Choco Mucho star Sisi Rondina’s strong 27 attack point outing, the Flying Titans still fell short. Her all-around performance also featured 12 excellent digs and six excellent receptions.
Royse Tubino added 15 points from 13 attacks and two blocks in the losing stand.
With a lot at stake, Creamline worked to retake the lead in the deciding frame with Pons’ combination play, 15-14, and the Cool Smashers never relinquished the advantage from there.
It was all downhill from there for the Flying Titans after Creamline took turns battering Choco Mucho to carve out a blistering 13-2 run that left last conference’s bridesmaid finishers eating dust.
Gumabao hammered in two consecutive kills in the endgame before Tubino tried to stop the bleeding. But it was already too late as the blockbuster clash ended with an anticlimactic net touch by Rondina.
“Talagang nag-enjoy lang kami sa loob. Yung good vibes ng Creamline, yun, kailangan lang namin ma-maintain yun all throughout the game,” Gumabao said.