Erica Erica Staunton: One of the vital cogs in Creamline’s epic comeback from nine points down in the third set. PVL photo

Creamline books q’finals berth

August 20, 2024 Theodore P. Jurado 155 views

THE quarterfinals race in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference is now down to two teams after Creamline pushed Choco Mucho in the brink of elimination a dramatic 25-16, 25-19, 31-29 victory on Saturday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Cool Smashers showcased their resilience and championship pedigree, overcoming a 14-23 deficit in the third set to secure a place in the Last 8.

Creamline’s victory, the fifth in seven matches, also gave defending champion PetroGazz and Capital1, both sporting 4-3 records, a free ride to the quarterfinals.

Akari (7-0), Cignal (6-1), PLDT (5-2) and Chery Tiggo (5-2) have already punched tickets to the knockout stage.

The Flying Titans’ fate of reaching the quarters is not entirely in their hands after absorbing their fifth defeat in seven matches in ninth spot.

Farm Fresh, which has 3-4 record, holds a one-game cushion over Choco Mucho in the chase for the remaining quarters berth and has a slight advantage in the first tiebreaker, 8-7, on points.

The Foxies can complete the quarterfinals cast with a victory over the Chargers tomorrow, eliminating the Flying Titans in the process.

A Farm Farm loss to Akari, coupled by a Choco Mucho win over the High Speed Hitters in three or four sets on Thursday will give the Flying Titans the last quarters slot as the two-time All-Filipino Conference runner-ups will prevail in the points tiebreaker.

In the event that Farm Fresh and Choco Mucho are level, not only in the win-loss record but also in the points tiebreaker, the set ratio between the two clubs will determine the last quarterfinalist.

Despite facing the challenges of missing key players due to injuries and national team commitments, the Cool Smashers still advanced as the eight-time PVL champions are facing their biggest test this conference.

“Siyempre masaya kami at naka-recover sa third set,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses. “Siguro magpapataas ito ng morale ng team. Na-challenge yung team dun sa third set, medyo malayo ang hinabol.”

American Erica Staunton led the Cool Smashers with 19 points, including the decisive kill that sealed the one-hour and 48-minute win, and collected seven digs.

“Honestly, I just leaned on my teammates,” said Staunton. “Just knowing that we’re gonna do it, we’re gonna do it together. I just really appreciate all the confidence that they had in me.”

Creamline will have ZUS Coffee as its final preliminary round assignment on Thursday just before the knockout stage.

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