PVL: Creamline knocks off Petro Gazz, books semis

Creamline Cool Smashers against Petro Gazz Angels in the PVL Reinforced Conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Creamline completed the semifinal matchups of the PVL Reinforced Conference after sending home two-time defending champion Petro Gazz, 25-23, 25-19, 25-18, on Tuesday at Filoil EcoOil Centre.

The Cool Smashers arranged a date with Cignal while PLDT, which eliminated Chery Tiggo earlier, set up a semis meeting with undefeated Akari. Both games will be on Thursday at PhilSports Arena.

The four teams will also move on to the Invitational Conference, which will also feature two foreign guest teams.

Erica Staunton unloaded 19 points from 16 attacks and three blocks while Bernadette Pons helped with 16 points from 15 attacks and an ace to lift Creamline to a three-game win streak ahead of the semifinals.

READ: PVL: Without key players, Creamline leaning on proven system

Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses, Bernadeth Pons, and Erica Staunton after ending Petro Gazz’s Reinforced Conference reign. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/lVGoNBw9Ev

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) August 27, 2024

“I’m just overall very excited. I did not want to be done playing with this team, I love playing with these girls. I would’ve been devastated if today was my last day,” Staunton said. “So, I’m just happy that we extended our run and we’re fighting for the semis now.”

“Syempre unang-una, masaya kasi na-survive namin ‘yung game today. Do-or-die nga ‘to and hindi ganun kadali kalaban nga rin ‘yung Petro Gazz kasi mga beterano na rin sila,” Pons said.

Pons also had 12 excellent receptions as Creamline snapped the four consecutive winning run of the Angels who had Wilma Salas and Brooke van Sickle finish with 18 attack points apiece.

Michele Gumabao finished with 11 points after Kyle Negrito tossed 16 excellent sets. Negrito, Panaga and Bea de Leon each had five points.

Petro Gazz was also not able to capitalize on Salas’ 11 excellent digs as Djanel Cheng dished out 10 excellent sets.

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Creamline made quick work of the Angels, never letting them come close to posing a threat.

The Cool Smashers reached 16-10 handily before Negrito, Pons and Gumabao took turns piercing the defense of Petro Gazz, 21-15.

Panaga immediately got back an attack error with a quick hit before Salas scored from a through the block attack, the last point of the Angels, 23-18. Staunton responded with a kill through the block as well before Negrito sneaked in a 1-2 play that Van Sickle was not able to stop.

“Syempre mag-celebrate kami ng konti kasi one day lang yung preparation for semifinals. Ire-rest muna namin yung mga utak namin para makapag-prepare kami bukas sa training,” coach Sherwin Meneses said.

“Masaya kami kasi alam nyo [naman] knockout games eh so enjoy muna namin yung panalo namin,” Meneses added.