Creamline Cool Smashers in the PVL Invitational Conference.
MANILA, Philippines — The third time’s the charm, and Creamline could prove just that after getting another crack at an elusive Grand Slam in the Premier Volleyball League.
Completing a PVL season sweep has evaded the Cool Smashers for the past couple of years but they find themselves on the verge of finally pulling it off after reaching the 2024 Invitational Conference final.
Creamline made its third straight trip to the championship round in just a span of four months after overcoming Cignal, 25-18, 29-27, 17-25, 25-20, on Monday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Two weeks after overcoming a two-set deficit to pull off a come-from-behind win over Cignal in the Reinforced semifinal, the Cool Smashers asserted their mastery of the HD Spikers despite the return of their key cogs Dawn Macandili-Catindig and Vanie Gandler.
Jema Galanza still didn’t suit up for Creamline but the trio of Erica Staunton, Bernadeth Pons, and Michele Gumabao continued to deliver for the Cool Smashers, who were just five days removed from their Reinforced Conference conquest.
READ: PVL: Creamline overcomes Kurashiki by staying ‘disciplined’
Creamline gets another go at history on Thursday at Araneta Coliseum against either the Kurashiki Ablaze or Cignal. Last year, the Ablaze outlasted the Cool Smashers in a five-set thriller to rule the Invitationals.
“Siyempre masaya kasi nakabalik ulit kami sa finals so, may chance kami na makachampion ulit. About Cignal naman, talagang hindi rin sila bibitaw talaga hanggang dulo so, happy ako dahil nakuha namin yung panalo ngayon,” said six-time PVL champion coach Sherwin Meneses, who steered Creamline to its 13th overall PVL Finals appearance.
“Nung nagstart yung Reinforced Conference, alam naman nilang derederetso talaga yung games so, ready naman. Pero siyempre mas gusto namin makapagpahinga talaga before the finals. So, I think magagawa namin.”
Two years ago, Creamline ruled the inaugural staging of the Invitational Conference, beating KingWhale Taipei but couldn’t secure a Grand Slam after settling for the bronze in the Reinforced tilt.
Creamline, which clinched a slot in the title game after hiking its record to 3-0, wraps up its elimination round campaign on Wednesday against winless Farm Fresh at Philsports Arena, where Galanza could make her return.
After cooling down a bit in their first two games, Staunton unleashed her best game yet in the Invitational Conference with 27 points off 25 spikes, a block, and an ace on top of 14 digs as Creamline overcame a tight second frame and third-set loss before winning the fourth convincingly.
Gumabao continued to shine in the third conference with 19 points including three aces. Reinforced Conference and Finals MVP Pons had another all-around game with 15 points, 20 excellent receptions out of 27 attempts, and 17 digs.
“Alam namin na pag nakuha namin ‘tong game na ‘to, malaki ‘yung magiging advantage at chance namin,” said setter Kyle Negrito also shone with 22 excellent sets on top of seven points highlighted by three aces and two blocks. “I’m happy na nakuha namin and alam din namin na hindi magiging madali, pero siguro naging patient lang din kami for today’s game kaya nakuha namin ‘yung panalo.”
Cignal and defending champion Kurashiki–both sporting 2-1 slates–dispute the last final seat also on Wednesday.
Catindig’s return of 27 digs as well as Best Foreign Guest Player MJ Perez’s all-around effort of 35 points, 13 receptions, and 12 digs were spoiled with their first loss in three games.
Ces Molina had 19 points and 11 receptions. Setter Gel Cayuna had 18 excellent sets and five points, while Vanie Gandler only played sparingly in the fourth after the return of Alas players.