Creamline battled back from a huge deficit in the fourth then out-steadied Perlas-BanKo in the stretch to pound out a 21-25, 25-22, 26-24, 28-26 victory last night and post a seven-game sweep of the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference elims at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.
Cesca Racraquin fueled and anchored the Cool Smashers’ fightback from 7-17 down in the fourth and the top-seeded squad pounced on the Perlas Spikers meltdown to snatch the victory and head to the Final Four without a loss.
The loss was so frustrating for the Perlas Spikers, who had hoped for a victory to at least assure themselves of a playoff for the last semis berth. Instead, they would hope for a BaliPure setback to Pocari Sweat (being played at presstime) to force a sudden death for the last slot at 3-4.
A BaliPure victory, however, will slam the door shut on Perlas-BanKo and net the Water Defenders the last seat for a clash with the Cool Smashers in the best-of-three semis in the mid-season conference of the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by Mikasa and Asics.
“This will be good for her (Racraquin) – playing in the PVL and getting the experience when she goes back to San Beda in the NCAA,” said Creamline assistant coach Oliver Almadro.
Perlas-BanKo came out strong to take the opening frame but Creamline imposed its will and took the next, including the third on deuce points.
Needing a win to force a decider and boost their semis hopes, the Perlas Spikers dominated majority of the fourth and looked headed to a fifth set after racing to a 17-7 lead.
