Creamline moved to the brink of an unprecedented feat in Philippine professional volleyball, demolishing Farm Fresh with a commanding 25-15, 25-13, 25-19 victory to sweep the elimination round of the Premier Volleyball League Invitational 2024 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Wednesday night.
As expected, the Cool Smashers outclassed the winless Foxies, but they did so with clinical precision, ensuring they secured valuable rest ahead of the highly anticipated one-game finale set for 6 p.m. tonight (Thursday) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
At presstime, Cignal and defending champion Kurashiki were locked in a battle for the unenviable task of preventing Creamline from achieving a historic sweep of three season titles.
Maximizing their opportunity to rest and fine-tune their game, the Cool Smashers wasted no time in asserting control, racing to large leads in each set and completing the sweep in just 76 minutes.
“Priority namin ang rest para sa mga players, lalo na dikit-dikit ‘yung mga laro. Thankful kami na nakuha namin ‘yung panalo para makapagpahinga kami bago ang finals,” said Cool Smashers coach Sherwin Meneses. “Hopefully, maganda ‘yung gising namin bukas (Thursday) para sa finals.”
Meneses, who had previously guided Creamline to championship victories in the All-Filipino and Reinforced Conferences, now has his sights set on a fourth consecutive crown, having also led the squad to last year’s second AFC title.
Jema Galanza made a triumphant return to the Creamline roster after fulfilling her international commitments with Alas Pilipinas, powering the team with a game-high 13 points in just two sets.
Galanza, who missed the Reinforced Conference and the early Invitationals matches, delivered 11 attacks and two blocks, reminding everyone of her lethal form.
“Masaya po na nakabalik ulit sa Creamline. Sa adjustments, hindi naman sobrang laki kasi tuloy-tuloy naman po ang trainings namin at hindi na bago ang sistema,” said the former league MVP, signaling her readiness to lead the team in their quest for a grand slam.
Bernadeth Pons, who shouldered much of the offensive load during the absence of Galanza and injured stars Tots Carlos and Alyssa Valdez, finished with eight points, 10 excellent digs, and eight excellent receptions.
Veteran Michele Gumabao chipped in seven points, even as she sat out the final frame, while American import Erica Staunton contributed five markers in limited action during the opening set.
It was a well-rounded offensive display from Creamline, with 10 players tallying at least three points. The Cool Smashers overwhelmed the Foxies in attacks, 51-31, underscoring their firepower and depth as they look to make history.
Farm Fresh, on the other hand, bowed out winless at 0-4, while its defeat paved the way for Est Cola’s entry into the bronze-medal match against the loser of the Cignal-Kurashiki clash.
Japanese import Asaka Tamaru top-scored for the Foxies with 10 points, while Trisha Tubu managed six markers. Rizza Cruz and Alyssa Bertolano contributed four points each.
