Creamline gains PVL Finals slot; PLDT bucks slow start, evens series

Creamline wasted no time—or setting up—to get to the championship.

“We missed the finals in the last conference, but everyone is ready to step up this time,” said Jia de Guzman, a smart player who won 25-22, 25-23, 25-16 against F2 Logistics. Tuesday that propelled the Cool Smashers to the All-Filipino Premier Volleyball League Conference Finals.

“We are really overwhelmed and very thankful for this victory,” he added after Creamline swept the best-of-three semifinal series.

Meanwhile, the other half of the Final Four bracket is almost finished in another sweep, after PLDT started a do-or-die battle like the internet on dial-up connections.

“We gave up the first set as if we were still warming up. It was a slow start, we didn’t focus and we didn’t have intensity,” said coach Rald Ricafort.

Veteran setter Rhea Dimaculangan also felt it.

“Actually, at the beginning, we doubted that we could win the game,” he said.

It wasn’t until after a tense second set that the team finally lived up to their High Speed ​​Hitters nickname.

“[C]oach told us that the warm-up period is over, so we have to move well and play our usual game,” said Dimaculangan. The result was a 14-25, 25-23, 25-14, 25-15 victory over Petro Gazz that forced the rubber match for another Final place.

PLDT’s victory freed up time for Creamline to prepare for the title match. High Speed ​​​​Hitters and Angels mix in a duel not tomorrow. Cool Smashers took the opening set of Game 2 at the Mall of Asia Arena before taking on Cargo Movers in a tight second set where the lead changed hands several times.

All signs were sent to a marathon match until the deadlock at 22, when Jema Galanza dragged Creamline to a 2-0 set lead by manufacturing three straight points.

With a vise grip on the match, Cool Smashers killed it in the third match.

“We are happy that we avoided the fourth or fifth set because they (F2) are a tough opponent to deal with. It looks like the first match is headed for a cruise for Petro Gazz as PLDT fell into an 8-22 hole.

“But instead of fighting,” said Ricafort, “I just told them to forget the first set [and] get our act together in the second set and beyond.”

PLDT dominated the final two sets, taking a 20-10 lead in the fourth off Kath Arado’s lucky dig that produced the points.

Dimanculan smoothly managed PLDT’s offense and scored 25 impressive sets that helped four of his teammates reach double figures.

Mich Morente led the parade with 16 points.

Arado covered PLDT’s floor with his defensive prowess, tallying 26 digs and 12 impressive receptions. Jovy Prado was also instrumental with 15 points, 11 digs and 10 receptions.

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