By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Creamline maintained its supremacy in the Premier Volleyball League, ruling the All-Filipino Conference with a hard-earned 20-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-15 victory in their sudden death Thursday, March 30, before another huge crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The beautiful but power-hitting Jema Galanza did most of the damage this time, firing all her 19 points on attacks as the crowd favorites completed their remarkable comeback to win the best-of-three series, 2-1.
They forced a winner-take-all by winning Game 2, 18-25, 25-16, 25-18, 23-25, 15-6. The Angels stunned the Cool Smashers, 25-22, 24-26, 25-23, 26-24.
It was Creamline’s sixth conference crown in the league – a redemption of sorts after its Grand Slam bid was foiled last year. They settled for third in the Reinforced Conference.
“Sabi namin, babawi kami para kay Ate Ly,” said Galanza, referring to their injured star player Alyssa Valdez.
Setter Jia De Guzman made the difference for the Cool Smashers by distributing the ball well, finishing with 18 excellent sets.
“Everyone in our team knew our lapses in Game 1, so the next day, we went early for practice and tried to resolve our mistakes,” said De Guzman, who also scored two points to emerge as the Finals MVP.
So impressive was De Guzman that four players scored in double figures for Creamline with Michele Gumabao sizzling with 18 points built on four blocks, and Tots Carlos and Ced Domingo contributing 16 and 12 points, respectively.
Apart from banking on their offense by outscoring the Angels on attacks, 57-44, the Cool Smashers also flaunted their rock-solid defense by posting 14 blocks.
After being outhustled in the opening set, Creamline leaned on its defense to regain its composure in the next three frames particularly in the third set where they swatted away six blocks.
The Cool Smashers dictated the pace from then on, seizing a 4-0 lead in the fourth and led by as many as eight points, 16-8, anchored on Gumabao, Carlos and Galanza.
The Angels tried to slow down the Cool Smashers with Grethcel Soltones and Aiza Pontillas at the forefront of their plays, but Creamline was unstoppable as a down-the-line spike from Galanza sealed the title win.
Soltones finished with 17 points even as Jonah Sabete scored 11 points, in a losing effort for Petro Gazz.
