Creamline showcased its championship mettle once again, rebounding from a grueling third-set loss and an early fourth-set deficit to claim a hard-fought 25-22, 25-20, 30-32, 25-20 victory over Choco Mucho in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday night.
The win maintained Creamline’s perfect record in the tournament, matching Cignal’s 3-0 start while underscoring its resilience and ability to deliver under pressure before close to 10,000 cheering fans.
The Cool Smashers were tested in one of their toughest matches of the season. After dominating the first two sets, they found themselves in an epic third-set battle that stretched for a draining 48 minutes.
Despite coming up short in that frame, Creamline displayed its trademark poise, bouncing back from an early deficit in the fourth to seal the two-hour, 21-minute match with a decisive finishing run.
Michele Gumabao and Bernadeth Pons took control in the crucial moments of the fourth set, delivering clutch points to break the 16-all count. Their efforts complemented Jema Galanza’s spectacular all-around performance, which saw her tally a conference-high 24 points, 17 excellent receptions and nine digs.
Galanza was quick to downplay her remarkable outing, emphasizing the need for continuous improvement.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa performance ko pero start pa lang ng season, marami pang mangyayari (I’m grateful for my performance, but it’s just the start of the season – there’s still a lot more to come),” she said after nailing the best of the game honors. Her humility aside, her contributions were instrumental in Creamline’s success.
The team’s depth also proved critical, with Gumabao putting in one of her most efficient games, finishing with 22 points, including three kill blocks. Bea de Leon, Pangs Panaga and Alyssa Valdez provided solid support, with Valdez drawing roars from the crowd during a pivotal third-set rally.
Choco Mucho, led by an explosive performance from Sisi Rondina, pushed the Cool Smashers to their limits. Rondina matched Galanza’s output with 24 points and kept the Flying Titans competitive.
However, their inability to sustain momentum and capitalize on crucial points ultimately cost them.
Creamline’s superior firepower was evident, as they outgunned Choco Mucho 70-53 in attacks and dominated at the net with a 12-5 edge in blocks. Despite committing 34 errors, their ability to recover and execute in high-pressure situations proved decisive.
Choco Mucho slipped to 2-3.
After a thrilling third set where the Flying Titans mounted an epic comeback and edged out the Cool Smashers in a tense 32-point battle, Creamline regrouped and reasserted its dominance.
Midway through the fourth set, the Cool Smashers found their rhythm, relying on their powerful attacks and solid defense to regain control and ultimately seal the thrilling victory in another classic duel of two of the most popular teams in the league.
