Creamline faced a formidable challenge on Thursday night in the Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference elimination round, needing to put in extra effort to secure their tenth consecutive win against the resilient Akari.
The Cool Smashers found themselves initially trailing in the opening set, setting the stage for a thrilling comeback. Despite their commendable efforts, the Chargers, considered underdogs in the matchup, displayed remarkable composure, clinching a 1-0 lead in the match.
Undeterred by the setback, Creamline, known for their tenacity, staged a remarkable recovery. They eventually triumphed over Akari in four sets with scores of 26-28, 25-14, 25-23, 25-22, extending their impressive winning streak and maintaining an undefeated record.
Reflecting on the challenging encounter, Tots Carlos highlighted the significance of overcoming the Chargers, emphasizing the positive impact it would have on their upcoming campaign in the semifinals.
“It was a good game. I think that was the scenario we faced. With the semis approaching, we found ourselves in this situation where we needed to push ourselves to execute and really bring out our game,” said the three-time PVL MVP.
“In that situation earlier, they were still a formidable team. So, we might be the smallest team, and that turned out to be good for us because we'll learn how to play against tall players, like how to hit against big blockers. It was also great that we faced them today, heading into the semifinals because we played really well.”
Carlos, who contributed a game-high 23 points with 21 attacks and two blocks in the win, acknowledged the learning experience and the value of facing a formidable opponent before heading into the crucial stages of the tournament.
Following the match, Carlos pledged to maintain their momentum as they gear up for their final elimination match against Galeries Tower.
“As you said, the momentum will continue. For us, every game is important. Of course, our goal is to win every game, top the standings, and we can't control who we'll be facing,” said Carlos.
“As I mentioned earlier, there are different situations that arise heading into the semifinals.”
