PVL: Creamline turns back Akari, looks to improve consistency ahead of semifinals

Creamline Cool Smashers in the PVL game in Iloilo. – PVL PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines—Semifinalist Crimline finished the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference preliminary round on a high note after defeating Akari in four sets, 25-17, 25-22, 27-29, 25-8, at the San Agustin Gymnasium in Iloilo, Tuesday.

But despite the thrilling four-setter victory, the Cool Smashers know that they still have a lot of work ahead for the semifinal round, said coach Sherwin Meneses.

“We still have a lot to improve in the semifinals like consistency. Every point is important, we have to focus even if we got points. In the third set, we didn’t play well, but I’m happy that nobody got injured and we will enter the semis healthy, ” said coach Meneses in Filipino.

However, the injury-free lineup will still be without ace player Alyssa Valdez, who is still dealing with a knee injury.

“We have prepared how to play even without it [Alyssa] at the beginning of this season because until now, he still can’t play. His number one priority is his health.

Creamline, which finished elimination with a 7-1 record, moved into a dominant fourth set after failing to close out the game in the third frame. The Cool Smashers started the salvo with a 16-7 lead before going on an 8-1 run that was the prelude to Pau Soriano’s game-ending point.

Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Eli Soyud kept Akari alive in the extended third set with back-to-back hits to win 29-27, but the Chargers only appeared in the frame of success to end the campaign with just two wins in eight games.

Gumabao scored a game-high 19 points for Creamline while Jema Galanza and Tots Carlos scored 17 and 16 respectively.

Soyud was the top woman in Akari’s defeat with 17 to her name while Trisha Genesis finished with nine marks.

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