Tots Carlos and Creamline Cool Smashers in game 1 of the all-Philippines PVL semi-final. – PHOTO of PVL
MANILA, Philippines — Creamline finally overcame F2 Logistics by one as the defending champion outplayed the first-time semi-finalist to win 26-24, 25-18, 22-25, 25-15 to move closer to the 2023 National Premier League Volleyball Championship Philippines Conference Finals on Saturday at Philsports Arena.
After suffering a five-set defeat in their first two meetings, the Cool Smashers are sure to win the more important showdown with Tots Carlos and Michele Gumabao damaging Cargo Movers. Game 1 of the best semi-final series.
Both teams played without two of the best players with Alyssa Valdez was ruled out of the series with a right knee injury and F2 Logistics’ newest star Myla Pablo is sidelined with a nagging injury.
Defending MVP Carlos took home the highest 22 points in the game with 17 digs and 15 tackles, while Gumabao made the finishing touches in the fourth set as she scored 8 of her 20 points in the second set. frame.
“Better late than never,” said Gumabao after his final win over F2 Logistics. “The good thing is that it happened here in the semi-final. But the coach always tells us to focus on our team, not the opponent.”
Kim Dy led F2 Logistics in the semi-final game 1. – PHOTO of PVL
Creamline reached the climax of the All-Filipino Finals for the fifth time in a row and eighth overall as it attempted to close the series in Game 2 on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“We are happy because it is a good time to win against them. But the series is not over yet so we have to prepare. But we’re happy to finally have a match against F2,” Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses said in Filipino.
Builder Jia De Guzman also shined with an excellent 26 sets and 4 points, including 2 aces. Jema Galanza scored 12 points and nine hits, while Jeanette Panaga added 11 points, as she scored five of the Cool Smashers’ nine straight points early in the second set by a 13-6 margin.
Creamline stretched the second set to 19-10 but the F2 Logistics bench led by Chinnie Arroyo reduced the deficit to 4.22-18. Carlos and Domingo stopped the bleeding with back-to-back attacks, followed by Iris Tolenada’s error attack to gain the advantage in two sets.
After taking a 2-0 lead, the Cool Smashers committed 11 of their 29 fouls in the third set as Elaine Kasilag pulled in shots to tie up another goal.
Creamline quickly caught up with her action in the fourth round with a starting score of 8-1 and never looked back when Gumabao delivered the finishing blow.
Kim Kianna Dy leads F2 Logistics with 13 points. Kasilag fills in Pablo’s spot with 11 points, including 3 interceptions, while Ivy Lacsina adds 10.
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