Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 3) – Creamline Cool Smashers clinched the first 2022 PVL Open Conference finals ticket after overcoming the challenge posed by Choco Mucho Flying Titans, 23-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-15, in Game 2 of their best-of-three semifinals on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Tots Carlos commanded the strong offensive firepower of Creamline with 23 points built on 19 attacks, while Jema Galanza unleashed 18 points and 16 attacks to lead the team to their second straight PVL Open Conference finals appearance.
Choco Mucho produced a surprising hot start in the first set with Cherry Rose Nunag asserting her hold in the middle with her ferocious block points and Kat Tolentino delivering her trademark back row shots, with their plays looking to dominate the error-prone Creamline squad.
The Cool Smashers made some offensive adjustments in the second set as they displayed their attacking prowess that overcame the hard interior defense presented by the Flying Titans in the previous frame.
Carlos and Galanza continued Creamline’s scoring onslaught in the third set with their unforgiving hits, which did not receive any productive defensive response from the distraught Choco Mucho side.
The fourth set capped the reason the Cool Smashers are one of the two undefeated teams in the conference as they pounced on the Flying Titans’ errors and fast ball attacks from Galanza and Jeanette Panaga.
Star spiker Alyssa Valdez – who finished with 17 points in the match – brought Creamline to the finals with her trademark side row kill that ended their semifinals tussle with Choco Mucho.
Tolentino spearheaded Choco Mucho’s last stand with 14 points while Desiree Cheng delivered 13 markers in their defeat.
The Sherwin Meneses-coached Creamline squad will now await the winner of the semifinals battle between Cignal HD Spikers and Petro Gazz Angels for their title showdown starting April 6.
Last year, the Cool Smashers bowed out against Chery Tiggo Crossovers for the crown in PVL’s first Open Conference as a professional league. They also ruled the 2018 and 2019 PVL Open Conferences, when the league was still not professionally recognized.
