With a complete, healthy roster, Creamline proved too much, too powerful for a young Choco Mucho side, coming away with a 25-15, 25-15, 25-16 victory to stretch its unbeaten run to 12 for the first semifinal seat in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference in Iloilo, Saturday evening.
The Cool Smashers treated the Ilonggos who packed the University of San Agustin gym to a brand of game that kept them way ahead of the rest, cutting the tall Flying Titans down to size with their power, combination plays, clockwork shots selection and service all throughout the match.
Choco Mucho tried to stir up interest in the third when it surged to 4-1, 5-2 leads but Creamline needed just a couple of hits from Jema Galanza and an ace from Michele Gumabao to get the Cool Smashers going again with Alyssa Valdez closing out the lopsided match with a power hit that the Choco Mucho defenders had failed to neutralize.
“It helps that we’re playing in the second round, meaning it’s easier to read our opponents game this time,” said Gumabao, referring to the four-set triumph over their sister team last Aug. 31. “But it’s all about preparation, scouting and we always give our best against the rest."
Valdez and fellow Phl team member Jia Morado opted to play for their mother club as the rest of the Nationals were slugging it out with the Thais in the ASEAN Grand Prix second leg in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. The duo suited up for the team and helped power the hosts past Vietnam in the opener Friday.
The loss dropped Choco Mucho to seventh with a 6-7 mark but the Flying Titans remained in the semis hunt with only PetroGazz assured of at least a playoff for the last spot and Motolite and BanKo-Perlas tied for third at 7-5, PacificTown-Army just behind at 6-6 and Air Force at 5-6.
Earlier, PetroGazz lost its momentum but recovered big-time to repulse PacificTown-Army, 25-15, 20-25, 14-25, 25-13, 15-7, and close in on the second semifinal berth.
Cai Baloaloa fired back-to-back aces midway in the decider to stop the Lady Troopers’ rally then Cherry Nunag came through with two quick hits to put the Angels beyond reach on their way to their eighth straight victory and ninth overall against two defeats.
The loss dropped the Lady Troopers to 6-6, further tightening the race for the last two berths in post-season play of the centerpiece conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.
No comments