Creamline Cool Smashers at the PVL Invitational Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Third time’s a charm, and that may prove to be exactly what the Cream Line is doing as they make another run at the elusive Grand Slam in the Premier Volleyball League.
The Kool Smashers have missed out on winning a complete PVL season the past few years, but they are finally on track to achieve it by reaching the 2024 Invitational Conference Finals.
Article continues after this ad
Creamline defeated Signal 25-18, 29-27, 17-25, 25-20 at the Mall of Asia Arena on Monday to reach their third consecutive final round in just four months.
Cool Smashers, who overcame a two-set deficit to beat Cignal in the Reinforced semi-finals two weeks ago, proved their superiority against HD Spikers despite the return of key players Dawn Macandili-Catindig and Vanie Gandler.
While Gemma Galanza had yet to don a Creamline uniform, Erica Stanton, Bernadeth Pons and Michelle Gumabao continued to play well for the Kool Smashers, who were just five days removed from winning the Reinforced Conference Championship.
Article continues after this ad
Read: PVL: Cream Line maintains discipline to overcome Kurashiki
The Cream Line will try to make history again on Thursday when they face either the Kurashiki Ablaze or Signal at the Araneta Coliseum. Last year, the Ablaze won the Invitational, defeating the Cool Smashers in a hard-fought five-set match.
“Siempre masaya kasi nakabalik ulit kami sa finals so kami na makachampion ulit might have a chance. Signal naman, talaga hindi ling sila bibitaw talaga hangang dulo so, happy ako dahil nakha nami yong panalo ngayon about,” said six-time PVL champions coach Sherwin Meneses as he led Creamline to its 13th PVL finals appearance overall.
“Nung nagstaat yong strengthening meeting, alam naman nilang deredereso talaga yong game, so we’re ready naman. Pero siempre mas gusto namin makapagpahinga talaga before the finals. So, I think it’s qucheonan.”
Two years ago, Cream Line defeated King Whale Taipei to win the inaugural invitational conference, but had to settle for a bronze medal in the warm-up tournament and was unable to win a Grand Slam.
Cream Line improved to 3-0 and qualified for the finals, completing a repechage match against winless Farm Fresh on Wednesday at PhilSports Arena, where Galanza could make a comeback.
After dipping a bit in the first two matches, Stanton played his best game to date in an invitational conference, scoring 27 points with 25 spikes, one block, one ace and 14 digs as Creamline overcame close games in the second frame and third set before winning the fourth set in a commanding fashion.
Gumabao continued his stellar performance in Conference 3 with 19 points, including three aces, while Pons, who was named the conference and finals MVP, had another all-around performance with 15 points, 20 impressive receptions on 27 attempts and 17 digs.
“Alam namin na pag nakha namin ton game na to, malaki yong majiging advantage to chance namin,” said setter Kyle Negrito, who also shone with a fine set of 22 in addition to seven points highlighted by three aces and two blocks. “Nakha namin, alam din nam na hindi majiging madari, pero siglo, patient lang din kami, looking forward to today’s game. kaya nakha namin yong panalo.”
Signal and defending champion Kurashiki, both with two wins and one loss, will compete again on Wednesday for the final spot.
Katindig’s 27 digs and best foreign guest player MJ Perez’s overall performance of 35 points, 13 receptions and 12 digs were marred by the loss, their first in three games.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
The subscription was successfully completed.
Seth Molina had 19 points and 11 receptions. Setter Jer Kayuna had a great 18 set and five points. Meanwhile, Vannie Gandler barely played in the fourth quarter after the Alas players returned.
