Creamline still team to beat

MANILA, Philippines — Creamline’s dramatic, come-from-behind 26-28, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 16-14 win over Cignal Tuesday night at the PhilSports Arena showed that it’s still the superpower in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.

But it came with an alarming takeaway – the gap between the proud, dynastic franchise and the rest of the field isn’t that far and wide anymore like in the past.

“Napakahalaga ng panalo ngayon sa standings. ‘Yung ibang teams kasi dikit-dikit siya talaga. Every win kailangan makuha,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses, whose charges has regained the solo lead with a 6-1 record.

Unlike before when the Cool Smashers rarely lose two or more games in a conference, the star-studded team has recently been pushed to the limit a few times.

In fact, there are at least five other squads capable of challenging and possibly unseating the six-time league champions like Choco Mucho (5-1), PLDT (5-1), Petro Gazz (5-2), Chery Tiggo (5-2) and Cignal (4-2).

Creamline was also coming off its first loss to Chery Tiggo, 25-18, 26-24, 25-23, over a week ago and was close to dropping another one after falling behind two sets and 11-14 in the deciding fifth set.

Had Creamline lost it, it would have been the first time they lost more than once in a single conference since absorbing three defeats in the Open Conference six years back.

But thanks to Tots Carlos’ never-say-die attitude, the Cool Smashers managed to steer clear of it and preserve the tradition at least for now.

“Ayaw naming matalo,” said Carlos, who starred in that epic fightback after exploding for a career-high 38 points, including four straight in the final set when they fought back from three match points to steal the win.