CREAMLINE is now two wins away from winning another Premier Volleyball League championship.

What’s more amazing is the Cool Smashers were able to reach the Second All-Filipino Conference Finals without Jia de Guzman and Ced Domingo, the vital cogs from their previous title runs.

With setter Kyle Negrito steadily steering the ship, Creamline completed its semifinals dominance of Chery Tiggo, 26-24, 25-21, 25-21, to book another Finals ticket at the packed Philsports Arena Saturday night.

“Thankful din ako sa mga teammates ko for the patience and confidence na binibigay nila sa akin,” said Negrito, who has more than filled up the spot left by De Guzman.

The Cool Smashers, who also swept the Crossovers in the semis opener, flourished with their vaunted power game they complemented by a stellar blocking performance that played a pivotal role in closing out the hard-fought first two sets.

Creamline then turned an initially back-and-forth duel in the third into a win with clutch hits by Tots Carlos and Michele Gumabao.

“It’s all hard work. Alam namin na hindi biro ang kalaban, so we stuck to our game plan and we’re happy to execute them,” said Negrito, who produced 18 excellent sets in the clinchers.

The Cool Smashers remained on course of winning a record seventh crown.

Creamline also moved two wins away from replicating its perfect campaign in the 2019 Open Conference which the Cool Smashers ruled via a rare 20-match sweep.

“Masaya kami na nakabalik kami sa finals pero siguro mas tataasan pa namin yung gusto namin makuha, yun nga yung manalo sa Finals, magpeprepare muna kami ulit kung sino sa dalawa yung kalaban kasi maglalaro pa sila sa Tuesday then tsaka pa lang kami makakascout kung sino yung makakalaban namin,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses.

“Next training namin focus muna kami sa sistema namin kasi di natin alam sino maglalaro sa Finals,” he added.

Earlier, Choco Mucho forced a sudden death for the other championship berth by getting back at Cignal, 25-23, 25-22, 25-22.

The Flying Titans and the HD Spikers dispute the slot at 6 p.m. tomorrow at the same Pasig venue.

Game 1 of the best-of-three finals is set on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Carlos, who had 18-of-34 spikes to finish with 19 points and collected 13 receptions and seven digs, was elated to see the Cool Smashers play as one cohesive unit.

“We’ve been through a lot without ate Jia (de Guzman) and Celine (Domingo). But we’re really happy we’re here yung collective effort ng team maganda yung kinalabasan and also we’re just happy na si Kyle nag-step up din sa game and she knows what to do,” said Carlos.

“Masaya lang kami kasi pasok na kami sa finals but yun nga. Siyempre di pa yun nagtatapos one game at a time, one point at a time balik kami sa training bukas (yesterday).”

Game Tuesday:

(Philsports Arena)
6 p.m. – Cignal vs Choco Mucho