Creamline powers way to ultimate triumph

MANILA, Philippines — Creamline went full force and crushed a listless King Whale of Taipei with a merciless 25-21, 25-19, 25-8 victory last night to claim the Premier Volleyball League Invitational crown before a sea of delighted pink-clad fans at the MOA Arena.

After showing up minus Jema Galanza and Jeanette Panaga and some of their starters playing limited minutes in a 25-15, 17-25, 25-22, 24-26, 15-5 semis defeat Friday, the Cool Smashers did not hold back on this one, unleashing a mighty blow on the guest team to claim a second crown in the season.

Tots Carlos and Galanza delivered 14 and 13 points, respectively, and Ced Domingo scattered 11 hits for the Cool Smashers who topped this short tourney a few months after reigning supreme in the Open Conference.

Skipper Alyssa Valdez contributed nine points while providing much effort on defense with 13 digs and eight receptions.

Michele Gumabao and Kyle Negrito also provided push, sparking a big second-set turnaround when Creamline dismantled a 16-10 deficit with a crucial 15-3 offensive to salvage the set.

King Whale, which swept four games in the semis, was never the same from there as Creamline continuously pounced on the Taiwanese’ atrocious reception game to wrap it all up for the popular club.

Later, Creamline raked in most of the individual awards with Carlos gaining the MVP and Best Opposite Hitter plums, Domingo the Finals MVP and Valdez the Best Outside Spiker honors.

Earlier, short-handed Cignal showed remarkable grit and fighting spirit as it dug itself out of a deep hole in escaping past sister team PLDT, 17-25, 20-25, 27-25, 25-22, 15-5, for third place.

Playing minus Ces Molina and Ria Meneses, who were out due to health reasons, the HD Spikers went to leader Rachel Anne Daquis and their deep bench in erasing the two-set deficit and turning it into a victory.

It was the second third-place trophy for Cignal after accomplishing the same feat in the Open Conference last May.

“We could have easily given up, but this team showed heart and the will to win,” said Cignal coach Shaq delos Santos.

Daquis paced the HD Spikers with 16 points including 13 kills.

“We dedicate this win to Ces and Ria and the Cignal management, this is for all of you,” Daquis later said.

Roselyn Doria scattered 14 points including nine blocks while Jerrili Malabanan chipped in 13 hits.

It also produced heroes in the rest of the team for answering the call and contributing when called upon.

Mika Reyes and Dell Palomata led the way for PLDT with 19 and 17 points, respectively.