Creamline completed an impressive 11-game sweep of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference elims, shaking off a first-set slip with an overwhelming offensive display in the next three to log a 19-25, 25-16, 25-14, 25-13 victory over Galeries Tower at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Tuesday night, Dec. 5.

The Cool Smashers re-calibrated after initially getting outplayed by the Highrisers, surging to commanding leads from the second set onward. The one-hour, 45-minute triumph not only formalized the defending champions’ claim on the top spot but also propelled them confidently into the Final Four.

“We expect to play better in the semis, patayan na ‘to,” said Jema Galanza, who spearheaded the Cool Smashers’ unbeaten run with 11 attack points for a 12-point showing.

As No. 1, Creamline faces No. 4 Chery Tiggo at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7, while Choco Mucho and Cignal, which finished Nos. 2 and 3 in the elims, will dispute the other finals berth in a pair of best-of-three series.

Throughout their streak, Creamline conceded just seven sets in 11 matches, spiked by five shutout victories. The Cool Smashers faced their most challenging test against the Petro Gazz Angels, rallying from 1-2 set down to snatch a thrilling 25-22, 23-25, 25-27, 25-19, 15-13 victory last Nov. 9.

Looking ahead to the semifinals, the Cool Smashers acknowledged that the Final Four poses new challenges, especially with the Crossovers eager to prove themselves against the crowd favorites.

“Congrats sa players pero yung goal namin is mas mataas pa sa elims. Sa Thursday, mas tatrabahuhin pa namin ng husto,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses.

Creamline is out to match its rare feat in the 2019 Open Conference which it swept from the elims to the finals.

Equally interesting is the Flying Titans-HD Spikers duel with the former also riding a wave of momentum from a 10-game streak and the latter vowing to be at their best for the semis grind.

“We have to play consistent. There’s no time to relax,” said Galanza on their upcoming clash with the Crossovers. “We should be able to handle the pressure and make sure to contribute to the team.”

Bernadette Pons backed Galanza with 11 points while Tots Carlos and Rose Vargas scored eight points each in two-set stints, and Pangs Panaga also finished with eight markers in three sets.

Michele Gumabao and Lorie Bernardo chipped in seven points apiece as Meneses rested Alyssa Valdez to prepare her for the semis battle.

“Priority is for her (Valdez) to get a rest for the semis. Gusto din namin na makalaro yung ibang players,” said Meneses.

Galeries, which finished at 11th in the 12-team field with a 1-10 mark, pounced on Creamline’s lethargic start to wrest a 17-12 lead and held sway behind Roma Doromal to thwart the Cool Smashers’ repeated rallies.

“Naka-set na yung Galeries. Yung situation, hindi namin masyadong na-control, so we went back to the basics in the second set,” said Meneses, referring to their opening set loss.

But the six-time champions buckled down to work in the next, winning it handily and kept their dominance in the next two to complete their 11-game sweep.

Ysa Jimenez and Rap Aguilar each scored five points while Mary Anne Esguerra, Dimdim Pacres and Andrea Marzan finished with three points apiece for the Highrisers, who failed to sustain their charge and wound up with 28 attack points against the Cool Smashers’ 51.

Creamline also ended up on top in blocks, 6-3, including two apiece from Gumabao and Panaga, and scored nine aces against Galeries’ six.