Creamline Cool Smashers celebrate a point during the PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals against Choco Mucho Flying Titans. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Creamline fashioned another expected stellar championship confrontation with Petro Gazz in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.
The Cool Smashers shot down the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, 25-19, 25-15, 25-15, on Thursday night to ice that dream encounter with the Angels in a best-of-three finale.
LIVE: PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals – April 3
“It’s always a classic whenever we play Petro Gazz. It’s expected to be tight and exciting,’’ said Alyssa Valdez after Creamline’s annihilation of the Flying Titans in straight sets.
Still on track for a fifth straight conference crown, the Cool Smashers will appear in the Finals for the seventh consecutive conference, their 14th championship booking in the last 15 tournaments.
Creamline Cool Smashers Kyle Negrito. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Bernadeth Pons paced the Cool Smashers’ dominance with 14 points built around 12 attacks plus 16 excellent receptions, seven digs and one ace, Tots Carlos added 13 points and an ace while Valdez had 11 points and Kyle Negrito had 17 excellent sets.
Pang Panaga was likewise formidable with 10 points and three blocks in her partnership with Bea De Leon in manning the middle. De Leon had nine points and four blocks.
READ: PVL: Petro Gazz wallops Akari to book All-Filipino Finals return
“It will definitely be a huge series. It will be noisy and a lot of things will happen. Communication is important in those crucial times, so we can implement what we’ve prepared for in training,’’ said Valdez, Creamline’s team captain and the league’s three-time MVP.
While three of Creamline’s 10 championship titles were accomplished in an all-Filipino setting, the two-time reinforced conference champion Angels have yet to win it all in a tournament without imports.
The Angels crushed the Akari Chargers earlier in straight sets, sweeping the four-team, single-round semifinal phase, highlighted by a stunning victory over the Smashers last week.
“Petro Gazz and Creamline are evenly matched. Both are veteran teams, but I think we have the edge in terms of chemistry,’’ said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses.
Isa Molde tallied nine points for the Flying Titans but Sisi Rondina couldn’t uncork her usual flair after finishing with seven points with the last of her powerful attacks sailing out of the sideline at match point.
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Game 1 of the race-to-two series between the Cool Smashers and Angels begins Tuesday next week at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
