3 weeks ago
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Creamline’s Alyssa Valdez flicks a shot versus Galeries Tower net defenders in their game yesterday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig
STAR / File
MANILA, Philippines — Needing a straight-sets win to claim the qualifying final round top seeding, the Creamline Cool Smashers hit the target with a 25-15, 26-24, 25-19 smothering of the Galeries Tower Highrisers yesterday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
The Cool Smashers stayed intact, though, trailing by eight in the second set, salvaging the frame and going on to secure top spot in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference elims.
It was the dynastic franchise’s 10th win in 11 outings that was enough to hand them top seeding regardless of the result of the final preliminary round game by Petro Gazz (9-1) due to a higher FIVB tiebreaker.
Petro Gazz went on to win its game, dumping Nxled, 25-19, 25-14, 25-17, to finish at No. 2 also with a 10-1 mark.
It’s Creamline versus No. 12 Nxled in the playoff phase starting Thursday at the same Pasig venue.
The win was a soothing balm for the Cool Smashers, owners of a four-peat feat and a league-best 10 championships, after absorbing their first defeat in their last 20 outings in a five-set slip-up versus the PLDT High Speed Hitters.
Tots Carlos led the way with 18 points while skipper Alyssa Valdez, hampered most of the season with injuries, found her groove and dropped a 16-point performance including four late in the second set when they clawed back from a 11-19 deficit.
“When coach (Sherwin Meneses) called a time out, he was asking us to get one point at a time,” said Valdez. “It just so happened the momentum switched on our side and luckily we finished it.”
The Highrisers slipped to 1-10.
Valdez and Carlos ignited Creamline’s fightback, capitalizing on precise high-ball sets from Kyle Negrito. Valdez struck twice from the left, while Carlos answered from the right, hammering four straight points.
The Cool Smashers roared back to tie the set at 22, and from there, Valdez took over, blasting three consecutive hits to push Creamline to set point at 24-22.
With momentum fully on their side, Creamline wasted no time in the third set.
Jho Maraguinot and Andrea Marzan clawed back to force an extension, briefly halting the Cool Smashers’ charge. However, Carlos and Valdez had the final say – Carlos, momentarily taking on playmaking duties, set up Valdez for the decisive kill, sealing the set and dashing the Highrisers’ hopes.
