By NIKOLE JAVIER
The Creamline Cool Smashers turned on the heat one more time and pulled off a 25-17, 25-22, 27-29, 25-8 win over Akari to clinch the No. 1 seed in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday night, March 14, at the San Agustin Gymnasium in Iloilo City.
The Cool Smashers finished the elimination round with a 7-1 record.
Michele Gumabao showed way for Creamline with 19 points off 17 attacks, a block and an ace, while Jema Galanza and Tots Carlos added 17 and 16, respectively.
The reigning All-Filipino champion Creamline had to recover from Akari’s determined third-set comeback before cruising past them in the fourth and sealing the conclusive victory.
Meanwhile, Petro Gazz, which secured a playoff berth earlier, locked up the second seed after improving 6-2 with a win over Chery Tiggo.
F2 Logistics is awaiting its semis face-off fate as a PLDT win against Choco Mucho on March 16 will automatically move the HD Spikers up to the third spot.
The Cargo Movers then will be dropped to No. 4 and set them up for a best-of-three affair with the Cool Smashers.
Eli Soyud was the lone bright spot for the Chargers with a 17-point outing as they end their All-Filipino campaign with a slate of 2-6 in the standings.
