By NIKOLE JAVIER
Creamline threw its full weight around and romped to a 25-22, 25-23, 25-16 victory over F2 Logistics to book its finals ticket in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday, March 21, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Cool Smashers sans Alyssa Valdez, zoomed to their franchise eight overall finals stint after sweeping the Cargo Movers in their best-of-three semis series.
Tots Carlos led the way for Creamline with 19 points off 18 attacks and an ace, while Michele Gumabao added 12. Jema Galanza and Ced Domingo both had 11 points each in an all-around team effort.
Creamline managed to pull away quickly from F2 after Gumabao’s back-to-back kills that extended its advantage to 22-14.
Ivy Lacsina then would douse the fiery run with a single block on Galanza’s backrow attempt before committing an attack error.
Despite Elaine Kasilag’s efforts to lift the Cargo Movers from their eight-point deficit, Carlos would go for another crosscourt kill to put the Cool Smashers at match point.
Clearing the stage for the finale would be Galanza who came through for a combination play.
“Syempre sobrang saya namin. Kasi knowing F2, sobrang solid nila ngayong conference to. Happy kami at hindi nag-fourth set or fifth set kasi mahirap talagang kalaban sila,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
Kianna Dy paced the Cargo Movers with 11 points built on nine attacks and two blocks as the rest of the team couldn’t breach the double-digit mark.
F2 will be missing out on the finals after a breakthrough playoff berth two years since its participation in the tournament.
Creamline will have a four-day rest and preparation as it awaits the victory between Petro Gazz and PLDT which dragged their best-of-three semis series into a decider.
