Creamline zips up semifinal spot after turning back PLDT, vows to get even better

Moments after showing no mercy to the formidable opponent, Creamline, through the prolific two-way player Ced Domingo, casually said something that should make the rest of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference field shaking in their boots.

“We are thankful that we can [semis] again,” Domingo said in Filipino after the 25-20, 25-21, 25-17 creaming of PLDT that gave the Cool Smashers their first semifinal berth at the PhilSports Arena on Saturday.

Then came this: “We’re happy because our training is paying off, but I’m sure we’ll go up. Come the semi-finals, we’ll be better.”

Creamline improved to 6-1, while PLDT fell to second place with 4-2 draws with F2 Logistics and Petro Gazz, with Cargo Movers still playing Choco Mucho.

The Cool Smashers ensured that reaching the next round will not be abandoned this time after the bitter experience of losing in the tiebreaker last season.

Heartache

“We don’t want to rely on quotients, just win,” said coach Creamline Sherwin Meneses in Filipino. “We will work hard in the semi-final not to feel what we felt before.”

It’s bad news for the competition since Creamline, whose only loss came in a painful five-setter against F2, has not dropped a set in its win so far.

Three players scored in double digits to propel Creamline, with Tots Carlos finished with a game-high 18 points built on 15 kills and Domingo rattling off 17. Jema Galanza was a silent contributor with 11 points.

Creamline has a total of 48 attack points, 17 more than High Speed ​​Hitters.

Michelle Morente led PLDT with 12 points and Mika Reyes with 11. Dell Palomata and Jovie Prado each chipped in seven points, but Meanne Mendrez, who averaged 13.7 points in their win over Akari, Petro Gazz, Army and Chery Tiggo, struggle with only three points.

“It will be a different story for us in the semifinals,” Meneses said. “We have to keep improving because it’s going to be a clean slate for every team out there – back to zero.”

hot start

Close to 8,000 fans showed up to witness the two hot teams tangle, with the High Speed ​​Hitters coming into the fray looking to extend their four-game winning streak.

But Creamline were in their element early on and the Cool Smashers put the High Speed ​​Hitters out of their misery in just one hour and 29 minutes.

In the second set, Creamline led, 23-19. Morente and Mendrez scored back-to-back points for PLDT only for Galanza to finish the rally with back-to-back points, 25-21.

Cool Smashers opened the third frame in the same sizzling way they did the first two, with an 11-5 lead proving too big for the deflated High Speed ​​Hitters to overcome. INQ

Read Next

For suggestions, complaints, or questions, please contact us.