Cool Smashers edge closer to third crown

MANILA, Philippines — Piqued more than dismayed by its first-set meltdown, Creamline showed its true worth in the next two frames then pulled through in a gripping endgame, hacking out a 24-26, 25-16, 25-16, 25-22 victory over PetroGazz at the Filoil Flying V Centre last night and inching closer to a third straight championship in the Premier Volleyball League.

Regaining control with back-to-back romps in the middle sets, the Cool Smashers charged back from big deficits early in the fourth but needed a costly miscue from Cherry Nuñag to complete the come-from-behind victory, actually their 12th straight after sweeping nine games in the elims and two over the PacificTown Army Lady Troopers in the Final Four of the Reinforced Conference.

That moved Creamline, which controlled majority of the first set but wavered in the stretch, within a win from keeping their crown they won over the PayMaya side, also via sweep, last year with the Cool Smashers also crushing the Motolite-Ateneo Lady Eagles in two to win the Open conference diadem.

Earlier, BanKo-Perlas sparked late but in time to snatch a stirring 25-27, 10-25, 27-25, 26-24, 16-14 victory over a visibly shocked PacificTown Army to likewise close in on third place honors.

The Perlas Spikers flashed their big fighting heart to rally from a two-set deficit and turn what had appeared to be a lousy outing into a rousing result behind a late-surging Thai Sutadta Chuewulim and fellow import Stiix Horton and locals Dzi Gervacio, Nicole Tiamzon, Kathy Bersola and Sue Roces.

The Perlas Spikers looked headed for a shutout loss after dropping a tight first set and playing almost half-heartedly in the next.