Valdez: 25 points for Creamline. PVL photo
Creamline topples PetroGazz, nears PVL finals
THE newest chapter of the Creamline-PetroGazz rivalry has lived up to the billing.
Displaying steely resolved when mattered, the Cool Smashers hung on to an intense 27-29, 25-23, 15-25, 25-17, 16-14 win over the Angels to move closer in claiming a spot in the championship round yesterday at the PCV Socio-Civic & Cultural Center in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.
With a short turnaround between Games 1 and 2, Creamline hopes to close it out right away at 5 p.m. today. The semifinals decider, if necessary, will be played tomorrow afternoon.
Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza delivered the crucial kills after a 14-14 standoff for the Cool Smashers to escape in the Final Four opener.
It was Creamline’s third straight five-setter match and has improved to 4-0 overall in games that went to distance this conference.
“We will give the credit to PetroGazz also. They have been really doing well, hindi lang sa net defense, grabe din atake nila today,” said skipper Alyssa Valdez, who led her team with 25 points.
“We just really listen to our coaches kasi there were some adjustments in the middle of the game towards the latter part of the third set amnd fourth set we’re just really happy at that moment na apply din namin,” she added.
Carlos, Creamline’s biggest off-season acquisition, shone by scoring all but one of her 23 points from attacks.
“Tots, thank you so much. Tots is very very aggressive not only in terms of attacking but also inside the court very nice attitude nya towards everyone the energy she brings inside and outside the court. Well-deserved yung pagka player of the game niya,” said Valdez.
Sorely missed early in the tournament, Galanza showed why she is one of the Cool Smashers’ valuable contributors with 16 points and 21 receptions.
“We’re just really happy Jema really fulfilled her role her role mapa nasa labas, papasok siya floor defense, receive, papasok siya for spiking, she is just always there,” said Valdez.
Myla Pablo had 26 points while Ces Molina added 17 points, 15 digs and 14 receptions for the Angels.
