By NIKOLE JAVIER
Alyssa Valdez reset her conference-high mark as defending champion Creamline beat F2 Logistics in five exciting sets, 12-25, 25-15, 23-25, 30-28, 15-7, in the semifinals of the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference on Thursday night, July 20, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The win extended Creamline’s remarkable winning run to five games and now holds a 2-0 record in the carryover semis round.
The Cool Smashers likewise evened their head-to-head duel with the Cargo Movers at 2-2 – thanks to Valdez, Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza and Ced Domingo.
In her finest game since returning from a knee injury, Valdez exploded for 17 points on top of eight excellent digs.
She was at her best in the fourth frame where she scored back-to-back points aside from setting up the game-winning play with Jia de Guzman sitting on the bench. Her previous best was 13 points.
Creamline squandered a 10-point lead in that quarter in the face of F2’s onslaught t
but held on to win the extended set.
F2’s fightback had their ecstatic supporters – part of over 7,000 fans that almost filled the arena – shouting at the top of their lungs in anticipation of victory.
But in the end, it was the Cool Smashers who made the biggest plays that finally silenced F2 backers.
Both Galanza and Carlos delivered 17 attacks each and finished with 20 and 19 points, respectively.
The charming Domingo, who had her own moment of glory, added 16 points.
It was a dream start for Creamline in the fifth set after jumping to a 9-1 advantage.
The Cool Smashers never looked back and maintained an eight-point lead en route to the win as the Cargo Movers completely lost steam.
Myla Pablo paced F2 Logistics with a game-high 27 points built on 24 attacks and three blocks in the losing effort. Ivy Lacsina also tallied double figures with 13 points.
The Cargo Movers fell to 1-1.
