Creamline repulses BaliPure, nears finals

Games today (Filoil Arena, San Juan)

10 a.m. – Cignal vs Sta. Elena (m)

1 p.m. – Megabuilders vs Air Force (m)

4 p.m. – Pocari Sweat vs Hair Fairy Air Force (w)

6:30 p.m. – Bali Pure vs Creamline (w)

MANILA, Philippines - Creamline bucked the absence of Alyssa Valdez as it edged BaliPure, 25-19, 13-25, 28-26, 18-25, 15-7, yesterday to close in on a first finals stint in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at the Filoil Arena in San Juan City.

Rosemarie Vargas and Pau Soriano stepped up big by firing 19 and 18 points, respectively, as they partnered in the absence of Valdez, who was supposed to play before management decided at the last minute to allow her to focus on her training for the Southeast Asian Games-bound national team.

“Against all odds, we found a way to make do with what we have. Everybody did their job, the team was ready to play without Alyssa,” said Ateneo assistant coach Oliver Almadro, speaking in behalf of head coach Tai Bundit, who also marked his birthday yesterday.

It was a win that produced a lot of heroes.

Vargas pumped in seven of her 19 points in the fifth set, including five off-the-block hits, as the former FEU Lady Tam practically mocked the Water Defenders with her awesome power to give the Cool Smashers the headstart in their best-of-three semifinal series.

“Coming off a fourth set loss, we thought of stepping up in the fifth. We were able to communicate and everybody contributed,” said Vargas.

Cesca Racraquin and Rizza Mandapat added 11 hits apiece, while former league MVP Mary Jean Balse-Pabayo flashed vintage form and chipped in her season-high 10 points, including four blocks off the bench.

Jia Morado also played true to form and dished out 51 excellent sets.

Valdez suited up and even joined the team’s pre-game stretching and later said she was happy just to help cheer her teammates.