Creamline downed Akari, 25-19, 24-26, 26-24, 25-19, to sweep its elimination-round campaign in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference on Saturday, July 15, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Cool Smashers finished the elims with a 4-0 win-loss record in Pool A to become the only unbeaten team heading into the round-robin semifinals. Veteran playmaker Jia de Guzman led five players in double figures with Jema Galanza finishing with 16 points built on 13 attacks, one block and two service aces, and Tots Carlos with 14 points. Skipper Alyssa Valdez contributed 12 points on top of nine excellent digs as she increasingly regains her top form after recovering from a knee injury, while Ced Domingo and Jeannette Panaga had 11 points apiece. The Cool Smashers bucked a second-set loss before fully turning back the Chargers in the next two sets. Down 22-24 in the third set, Creamline went on a 4-0 run to steal a 2-1 set lead from Akari’s hands capped by Galanza’s crosscourt shot. Finding themselves trailing again 14-15 in the fourth frame, the Cool Smashers regained their form and unleashed an 11-4 blast to seal the victory. Rookie Faith Nisperos and veteran Dindin Santiago-Manabat paced Akari with 18 points each, which went for naught as the Chargers sank 0-3 in the standings.
*Alyssa Valdez continues her strong showing as Creamline sweeps its elims campaign. (PVL Images)
*The Cool Smashers finished the elims with a 4-0 win-loss record in Pool A to become the only unbeaten team heading into the round-robin semifinals. Veteran playmaker Jia de Guzman led five players in double figures with Jema Galanza finishing with 16 points built on 13 attacks, one block and two service aces, and Tots Carlos with 14 points. Skipper Alyssa Valdez contributed 12 points on top of nine excellent digs as she increasingly regains her top form after recovering from a knee injury, while Ced Domingo and Jeannette Panaga had 11 points apiece. The Cool Smashers bucked a second-set loss before fully turning back the Chargers in the next two sets. Down 22-24 in the third set, Creamline went on a 4-0 run to steal a 2-1 set lead from Akari’s hands capped by Galanza’s crosscourt shot. Finding themselves trailing again 14-15 in the fourth frame, the Cool Smashers regained their form and unleashed an 11-4 blast to seal the victory. Rookie Faith Nisperos and veteran Dindin Santiago-Manabat paced Akari with 18 points each, which went for naught as the Chargers sank 0-3 in the standings.