Creamline nears 11th title

MANILA, Philippines — Creamline is out to prove that its PVL reign isn’t about to end soon.

It was validated last night as Creamline overpowered Cignal, 25-22, 25-18, 25-16, to move on the verge of claiming the PVL All-Filipino Conference title and a league-record 11th crown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The ice cream franchise rode on its vast championship experience – 15 finals appearances in all – in dominating the Manny V. Pangilinan-owned club, which is desperately eyeing to end its title drought.

If and when the Cool Smashers wrap it up in Game Two tomorrow, they will regain their old place at the top and end a two-year title drought.

A decider, if necessary, is set next week at the same Cubao venue.

Interestingly, Creamline’s last title came at the expense of Cignal in the Invitational that went the full three-game route.

Earlier, Savi Davison and the PLDT High Speed Hitters edged the Farm Fresh Foxies, 22-25, 25-21, 27-25, 26-28, 15-11, to move on the cusp of a third-place finish.

“I think we’ve had a pretty tough journey leading up to the playoffs so we really came into this game really wanting it and wanting to redeem ourselves,” said Davison, who went on bazooka mode and unloaded 33 points including key ones in the fifth and deciding set.

“When you’ve been in and out of sports for so long, it’s kind of the way it is and this is what transpires when you move on from tough games,” she added.

Davison was referring to the team’s heartbreaking semifinal experience causing them to miss the bus to the finals and a shot at adding another title to their PVL on Tour and Invitational trophies.