By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Creamline immortalized itself in Premier Volleyball League history after capturing a rare Grand Slam feat by ruling the Invitational Conference Thursday night, Sept. 12, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
On a high from clinching the Reinforced Conference two weeks ago, the Cool Smashers still went on full throttle and outhustled the Cignal HD Spikers, 21-25, 25-17, 20-25, 26-24, 15-13, in the winner-take-all championship.
Not only did Creamline achieve the Grand Slam — having won the All-Filipino Conference crown late last year — but they also sealed this Invitational Conference title with a sweep of all five matches.
Overall, it was the Cool Smashers’ 10th title and second Invitational crown.
Erica Staunton delivered the goods anew for the Cool Smashers with 29 points including crucial kills late in the fourth set where they held onto their lead to extend the match into a deciding fifth.
The American spiker was also responsible for Creamline’s pivotal rally late in the final frame, where she scored back-to-back kills for the crucial 11-8 edge that was enough to fuel the Cool Smashers en route to the win.
Bernadeth Pons was equally impressive after sizzling with 27 points, while Pangs Panaga chipped in 11 points.
Jema Galanza’s return from national team duties also bode well for Creamline’s campaign as the veteran spiker unleashed attacks after attacks including the title-clinching point and went on to finish with 11 points.
The Cool Smashers’ feat overshadowed the efforts of MJ Perez, who exploded for 42 points in a losing cause for Cignal.
Meanwhile, Creamline’s Michele Gumabao bannered the list of individual awardees after winning the Conference MVP plum. Joining her were team Kyle Negrito (Best Setter), who was also later adjudged as Finals MVP, Perez and Staunton (Best Outside Spikers), Cignal’s Jackie Acuña and Kurashiki Ablaze’s Low Mei Cing (Best Middle Blockers), Kurashiki Ablaze’s Saya Taniguchi (Best Opposite Spiker), and Est Cola’s Kalyarat Khamwong (Best Libero).
