Shaken by Nxled’s gritty but unsuccessful effort in the first set, Creamline unleashed its full strength in the next but needed to withstand another strong challenge by the Chameleons in the third before claiming a hard-fought 25-22, 25-12, 25-20 victory in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City Saturday night.
Despite acknowledging that they have yet to reach their peak form, team captain Alyssa Valdez expressed confidence in their ability to elevate their game as they progress through the stretch of the preliminaries. She emphasized the team’s commitment to fundamental principles, citing their resilience in overcoming challenges.
“When the going gets tough, we get back to the basics,” said Valdez, whose 12-point performance netted her the game’s top honors.
After the second set romp, the Cool Smashers had hoped to re-assert their might in the next but found a determined Nxled side instead as the Chameleons dragged them into a tense-filled finish.
“Slowly but surely, we’re getting there,” added Valdez.
Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses strategically deployed Michele Gumabao late in the third, substituting her for Jema Galanza as the Chameleons’ kept pressing their bid and threatened at 20-21 on a Camille Victoria kill.
But Pangs Panaga scored on a quick attack, Tots Carlos blasted in a shot through two defenders and Gumabao, doing what she does best, delivered, closing it out for the defending champions with a kill block and a kill, capping the team’s decisive 4-0 closing run.
The hard-earned victory, its seventh against two defeats, propelled Creamline ahead of Petro Gazz and Chery Tiggo, which both tote 6-2 cards, in a triumph that likewise primed the Cool Smashers for their blockbuster match against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans on Thursday.
Creamline, which overpowered Nxled in attacks, 45-31, also has one last tough assignment on April 25, facing another strong semis contender PLDT (7-1).
The loss, meanwhile, formally dropped Nxled out of the semis race with a 3-6 slate.
Carlos showed the way for Creamline with 18 points, including 14 attacks and four aces, while Galanza finished with 10 markers, and Bea de Leon, Panaga and Kyle Negrito added six, five and four points, respectively.
Lacsina scored 10 points, Victoria and Jho Maraguinot each fired eight points, and Lycha Ebon added seven markers. But miscues stymied the Chameleons’ comeback in the third, enabling the Cool Smashers to escape with the victory in one hour and 27 minutes.
