Creamline Cool Smashers celebrate their latest championship–the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference crown. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER;net
MANILA, Philippines–Creamline just became a 10-time PVL champion in a span of a week.
The Cool Smashers outlasted Cignal, 21-25, 25-17, 20-25, 26-24, 15-13, to clinch the Invitational Conference and a first-ever league Grand Slam on Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Prior to this, Creamline had also won the All-Filipino Conference earlier this year and the Reinforced championship just a week ago.
Young import Erica Staunton dropped 29 points, 26 from attacks, to power Creamline to the historic win while Bernadeth Pons came up with 27 points on 24 attacks, a pair of aces and a block.
LIVE UPDATES: PVL Invitationals Final–Creamline vs Cignal
The Reinforced MVP was all-around after also catching 13 excellent digs and 16 excellent receptions.
“It means so much coming into this conference na ang mindset lang namin pinanghawakan talaga namin na matagal na kaming magkakasama and alam bawat isa yung role nila,” Kyle Negrito, who tossed in 25 excellent sets, said referring to the team playing most of the last two conferences without their brightest stars.
“Talagang yung respect namin sa isa’t isa [was there] and I am just so proud of my team,” she added.
Pangs Panaga and the returning Jema Galanza each had 11 points with the middle blocker finishing with three blocks and two aces. Bea de Leon had eight points and came big at the net with four blocks.
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Kyla Atienza did her part on the defense for 19 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions.
The Cool Smashers flaunted their experience in crucial situations and never gave up despite being a set down to bring the game to the all-or-nothing fifth set.
And Creamline never let go of the momentum even at 8-8 and Cignal also fought tooth-and-nail for every possession. A crucial error by Cignal import MJ Perez set up the Cool Smashers for the victory, 13-11.
Creamline Cool Smashers in the PVL Invitationals final vs Cignal HD Spikers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Galanza brought Creamline to match point and even with the error of her sister Mafe from the service line and a cross-court by Perez, Galanza remained unfazed and punched in a kill off the block for the decision.
Creamline came home with the win despite the monster showing of Perez, who finished with 42 points from 37 attacks, two blocks and three aces.
Ces Molina and Jackie Acuna each had 10 points as the HD Spikers settled for a second silver medal.