THE Creamline Cool Smashers showcased their grit and resilience, as they rallied to defeat the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, 18-25, 25-9, 21-25, 25-18, 15-6, to secure the first Final Four berth in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at the PCV Socio-Civic Cultural Center in Bacarra Wednesday night, August 4.
In a fifth set that featured powerful hits and superb blocking, the defending champions came away as the clear winner as Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos, Michele Gumabao and Risa Sato provided the firepower while getting some fantastic net defense from Jeanette Panaga.
In the decider, Creamline’s ace playmaker Jia Morado niftily set up sets both on the outside and opposite side that baffled the Flying Titans with Carlos scoring almost at will to make it 8-3 en route to nabbing their seventh victory against a loss.
The loss, meanwhile, was Choco Mucho’s first in seven games. They now need to win one of its last two games to join its sister team in post-season play.
Creamline’s victory likewise marked the return of Thai coach Tai Bundit, who took over from Sherwin Meneses after completing the IATF strict quarantine requirements.
It was a sorry setback for the Flying Titans, who played with so much composure while having the Cool Smashers’ numbers with their big wins in the first and third sets. But held under pressure, they cracked up in the fourth, including costly miscues at endgame.
They actually kept the match tight by trading three hits in the fifth, behind Kat Tolentino, but after Gumabao dumped in a hit after a couple of foiled Carlos’ attacks, the Flying Titans yielded another point on a net violation and Panaga frustrated Tolentino’s own blast.
Then came Carlos’ back-to-back hits and the former UP standout added another kill on the opposite side that sandwiched Maddie Madayag’s drop shot for a 9-4 Creamline lead.
Deanne Wong blocked Valdez in the ensuing play only to give back the point on a service miscue and the Cool Smashers racked up five of the last six points to pound out the victory in over two hours of top-class volleyball. (JNP)