JUST like that, the Creamline Cool Smashers win an extra life in the 2024-2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference, defeating the Akari Chargers on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Cool Smashers head coach Sherwin Meneses acknowledged the challenge at hand in order to keep their five-peat chances alive, since they have been in the final round since the inaugural All-Filipino Conference in 2023.
As expected, defending champions Creamline delivered a much-needed dominant performance against an upset-seeking Akari, sweeping their way to a 25-18, 25-19, 25-19 victory.
While the contest finished 3-0, the Chargers did not give up the fight so easily. The Cool Smashers suffered numerous deficits and runs, but their championship expertise helped them overcome them.
Calm and Composed
After trailing 4-6, the Cool Smashers rallied for a 6-0 lead, allowing them to lead for the rest of the first set. The Chargers attempted to make a comeback, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, Akari held a 13-8 lead early in the second set. The Cool Smashers battled back once more, eliminating the deficit and creating their own lead with a 15-4 run to win the session and take a 2-0 lead.
Creamline continued their efforts in the fourth set of their semi-finals clash, launching another powerful 8-2 run from 14-13 to win and finish the match in one hour and 31 minutes.
Kyle Negrito, the Creamline setter, finished the game with 24 superb sets in just three sets and four points. Bernadeth Pons got 17 points based on 16 attacks, 15 good receptions, and 12 excellent digs.
Meanwhile, Pangs Panaga and Tots Carlos each scored 13 points, and team captain Alyssa Valdez nearly reached double digits with nine.
One More Day
Pons, the Cool Smashers’ leading scorer, stated that the game was both emotionally and physically demanding. Following a significant loss, the coaching staff prepared them to fulfill each of their tasks.
“Lahat naman talaga kami naka-mindset yan. Nire-ready kami ni coach, mentally and physically kung ano trabaho namin sa loob. May kanya-kanya kaming role sa likod,” said Pons.
“Pag nasa harap kami, papalo kami. Pag nasa likod naman kami, dedepensa kami. So, ‘yun lang, ginawa ko lang din ‘yung trabaho ko and sobrang thankful lang din kasi gumana talaga lahat,” she added.
With their title chances hanging, the Cool Smashers have once again demonstrated why they are the league’s gold standard. With this victory behind them, the entire squad may now move on.
“Syempre, napaka-importante ng game kasi parang do-or-die sa amin yung games. Para makabawi, stay focus[ed] lang talaga. Teamwork, nandoon pa rin. Hindi pwedeng mag-blame kung sinong may kulang,” he said.
The Creamline Cool Smasher can now focus on their final match against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, while the Petro Gazz Angels will try to book the first ticket to the Finals by facing the Akari Chargers in their last semi-finals game on Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
