By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Creamline relied on its wide championship experience as it outhustled sister team Choco Mucho, 24-26, 25-20, 25-21, 25-16, to take Game 1 of their Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference best-of-three finals series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday night, May 9.
Playing in their 11th finals appearance, the Cool Smashers displayed their composure despite trailing for a number of times in the two-hour contest to move one win away from retaining the title.
Jema Galanza torched the net by unleashing powerful spikes on all angles to finish with 20 points including 18 kills while Tots Carlos was equally unstoppable at the attack line and erupted for 17 points.
Galanza attributed to their never-say-die attitude in this game, which also served as a rematch of last conference’s finals where Creamline needed a deciding Game 3 to snare the crown.
“Ayoko lang na matapos yung game na to na hindi kami nananalo,” said Galanza, who also contributed two blocks.
“Nakikita ko kasi sa teammates ko na lumalaban sila. Sino pa ba ako para sumuko? Kaya nilaban talaga namin to,” she added.
Choco Mucho came through with strong starts in all sets but Creamline, somehow, found ways to shackle the Flying Titans resolve particularly in the pivotal fourth frame where the Cool Smashers rallied from a 12-9 deficit to 14-all.
From there, Galanza and company sizzled with powerful smashes that rattled Choco Mucho’s defense as Creamline went on to unleash a 7-0 run that set the tone for the remainder of the match.
The Cool Smashers also banked on their formidable lineup with Bea De Leon coming off the bench in the second set and finishing with 11 points, and Michele Gumabao and Bernadeth Pons conspiring for 17 points.
Skipper Alyssa Valdez only played in the first three sets, but contributed with nine points.
Creamline’s all-around effort overshadowed the impressive performance of Sisi Rondina, who exploded anew with 27 points, as well as Royse Tubino, who pumped in 15 points for Choco Mucho.
The Cool Smashers, who were seeded fourth in the semifinals before earning a finals berth, try to close out the series in Game 2 on Sunday, May 12, at the same venue.
