Michele Gumabao spiked for the Cools Smashers in the fourth set. PVL PHOTO
Five-set melees have been a feature of Creamline’s previous matches against rival F2 Logistics in the English Premier League Volleyball League (PVL).
Solution? Don’t wait for a set of decisions.
“[W]I’m happy to finally get a match against F2,” Cool Smashers coach Sherwin Meneses said on Saturday.
And, as Creamline opponent Michele Gumabao put it, “good thing [finally beating F2] happened in the semi-finals.”
Cool Smashers outperformed first-time semifinalists Cargo Movers, 26-24, 25-18, 22-25, 25-15, at the start of the all-Philippines semi-final at Philsports Arena, bringing them to the threshold of another final.
“We are happy because it is a good time to win against them. But the series isn’t over yet so we have to prepare,” Meneses said.
WATCH: Volleyball player Michele Gumabao speaks to the press after Creamline’s win over F2 Logistics. #PVLAFC2023 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/za3G6zvXP9
– INQUIRER sports (@INQUIRERsports) March 18, 2023
The source of his wariness may lie in previous meetings with Cargo Movers in PVL, both of which ended in painful defeats in 5 sets.
“Better late than never,” said Gumabao, after a 20-point night where she and Tots Carlos inflicted the most damage on F2. But the former La Salle star said the goal was never to end Cargo Movers’ mastery over them but to keep Cool Smashers focused on the bigger picture.
“[C]oach always tells us to focus on our team and not the opponent,” said Gumabao.
Tots Carlos, the reigning Player of the Conference, took home the top 22 in the game with 17 digs and 15 receptions, while Gumabao scored eight of her total points in the third set. fourth as Creamline advanced to the top of the fifth consecutive All-Philippines Finals and eighth overall.
Builder Jia De Guzman also shined with an excellent 26 sets and 4 points.
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