ANTIPOLO – Creamline notched its first win in the semifinals following a 25-21, 23-25, 25-19, 25-17 victory over Army-Black Mamba in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at the Ynares Centre here.

Sporting a new pink hairdo that matching the club’s colors, Tots Carlos was solid with 24 points, including two blocks, and 19 digs as the Cool Smashers recovered from a second set meltdown to prevail.

“Siyempre hindi magpapatalo ang Army,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses. “Kailangan lang maka-recover sa second set.”

Alyssa Valdez added 18 points, Jema Galanza produced 12 points, 14 digs and eight receptions while Jeanette Panaga had three of the Cool Smashers’ eight blocks to finish with 10 points.

Creamline setter Jia de Guzman tossed in 28 excellent sets to go with a service ace.

“Nag-contribute ang mga players,” said Meneses.

It was the Lady Troopers’ second straight semis defeat, putting themselves on the brink of elimination.

Army will face Cignal tomorrow before facing Japan’s Kobe Shinwa Women’s University and Taiwan’s KingWhale next week to wrap up its semis assignments.

The top two teams after the single-round semis will play in the one-match final.

Jovelyn Gonzaga had 13 points, 18 digs and 18 receptions while Royse Tubino hammered 11 kills for the Lady Troopers.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado