Creamline seeks record 9th PVL title vs Akari
AFTER dropping its conference opener to PLDT, there were doubts on Creamline’s capability of extending its dynastic rule in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference.
The High Speed Hitters outlasted the Cool Smashers, 16-25, 25-22, 24-26, 25-19, 15-12, on July 16, handing Creamline its first conference opening loss since 2019.
But the Cool Smashers were able to buck the absence of injured hitters Tots Carlos and Alyssa Valdez, as well as Jema Galanza due to Alas Pilipinas commitments, and Pangs Panaga had to miss a couple of matches due to personal reasons.
In an epic display of resilience and determination, Creamline staged a comeback for the ages, rallying from two sets down and saving three match points to complete a stunning reverse sweep of Cignal, 20-25, 26-28, 25-18, 27-25, 15-13, in the semifinal Saturday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
It was the Cool Smashers’ 12th Finals appearance, where they will be aiming for a record ninth PVL championship.
Creamline will take on Finals debutant Akari in the winner-take-all finale between the dominantly-pinked colored sides at 6 p.m. tonight at the fabled Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“It was all about confidence, just trying to stay composed, especially for me – this is my first time, obviously,” said American Erica Staunton, who led the Cool Smashers with a monstrous 38-point game.
The only time Creamline won an import-laced tournament was its first-ever PVL title in the 2018 Reinforced Conference behind Thai Kuttika Kaewpin and American Laura Schaudt. Alyssa Valdez, Michele Gumabao and Risa Sato were also part of the Cool Smashers champion team.
Staunton, one of the least heralded imports in this conference, has emerged as a clutch performer, particularly when it matters most.
“I just focused on doing my job and whatever I could do to help the team,” said Staunton, downplaying her performance as merely part of a broader team effort.
“I’m just so grateful to Creamline for taking the risk and bringing me out here. I couldn’t be happier,” she added.
A perennial also-ran since joining the league in 2022, the Chargers have defied the odds time and again, overcoming daunting two-set deficits in the eliminations and outlasting a determined High Speed Hitteers side in the Final Four.
Unfazed by the challenges, Akari’s unbeaten march to the finals of this mid-season conference (9-0) stands as a testament to its resilience and resolve.
But all the hard work, the sacrifices, the sweat and tears will mean little if they fail to clear the final hurdle – the Cool Smashers. The Chargers’ dream, once seemingly far-fetched, now rests on their ability to pull off one last, epic victory.
“We’re ready, we’re hot, we’ve got the energy – let’s see what happens,” said Akari’s powerhouse import, Oly Okaro.
Michele Gumabao, who stepped up in the absence of Carlos this conference, pointed to the team’s “big fighting heart” as the key to overcoming the HD Spikers and emphasized the importance of carrying that same heart into the title match.
“It tested our heart and coming into the championship, kailangan andun talaga ang puso ng champion,” said Gumabao, who also echoed the team management’s reminder that “the toughest battles are given to the toughest warriors.”
“We’re thankful that we were able to experience this; it will only make us really one team,” added Gumabao. “At least, buo ang loob namin pagpasok ng finals, but we need to work harder and play as one team, follow the system and never lose faith.”
For her part, Bernadeth Pons, a key figure in Creamline’s run to reach the Final, reflected on the team’s resolve, saying: “Hindi talaga bumigay ang lahat, hindi kami nag-give-up, kahit one point na lang ang kailangan ng Cignal.”