Exciting action between KingWhale and Creamline. PVL photo
KingWhale makes finals in PVL
CHINESE-TAIPEI KingWhale overcame another five-setter as it toppled early finalist Creamline, 25-15, 17-25, 25-22, 24-26, 15-5, to remain undefeated in the semifinals of the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference last night at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Taiwanese club secured the other Finals berth and will face the Cool Smashers anew – this time for the gold medal at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Creamline’s loss eliminated PLDT, which is hoping for a three-way tie at 2-2 with KingWhale and Cignal to bag the championship berth via tiebreak.
Instead, the High Speed Hitters were relegated to the bronze medal match against the HD Spikers.
KingWhale will face already-eliminated Cignal in the final day of the semifinals at 4 p.m. today at the San Juan arena.
Despite the loss, the Cool Smashers are assured of being the best local team to represent the Philippines in the AVC Cup for Women later this month.
“Creamline is a great team in the Philippines,” said KingWhale coach Teng Yen-Min.
Brazilian opposite spiker Beatriz Flavio de Carvalho led the visitors with 24 points and seven receptions while Chen Li-Jun chipped in 17 points.
Tots Carlos led Creamline with 15 points while Michelle Gumabao had two blocks for a 11-point outing.
Alyssa Valdez hurt her left ankle late in the third set where KingWhale was ahead, 23-21, and never returned in the match. She also scored 11 points.
With the entire starting six in the sidelines, the Cool Smashers were able to force a decider after Rosemarie Vargas closed out the extended fourth set with a kill.
Setter Jia de Guzman and Carlos were entered in the fifth set, but Creamline could not get its game going as the Taiwanese club raced to a 12-4 lead. With the match beyond recall, De Guzman and Carlos were replaced and KingWhale never looked back.
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Creamline guns for sweep
