Undaunted by Akari’s early rush, Creamline slowed down the Chargers with awesome blocking and superb floor defense in the next two sets then held sway at the finish in the fourth to churn out a 23-25, 25-15, 25-16, 25-21 victory and stay unbeaten in four matches in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference elims at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Thursday.
Ced Domingo produced a 14-point game she laced with five blocks that highlighted the Cool Smashers’ defense upfront, neutralizing the Chargers' hitters and shutting down the league newcomers to move closer to another semifinal stint in pursuit of a record grand slam feat.
“Medyo naging careless ‘yung team sa first set pero ang importante naman doon ay yung paano ka naka-recover,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses.
“Yung Akari siempre, hindi naman basta-basta yan magpapatalo pero ung last three sets, nagging maganda ang adjustment namin,” he added.
The Chargers uncorked four consecutive points to stun the Cool Smashers and snatch the opening frame but the latter regrouped, buckled down to work and swept the next two in emphatic fashions.
The Open Conference and Invitational champions also dominated the fourth but the Chargers saved three match points to close within, 21-24, before Tots Carlos blasted in a kill off a mis-receive and a shaky setup to wrap up the victory that came on the heels of their four-set wins over PLDT, Petro Gazz and Cignal.
Yeliz Basa led Creamline with 18 points while Jema Galanza backed their Turkish import and Domingo with 12 hits and 17 excellent receptions and Kyla Atienza posted 18 excellent digs and 12 receptions in another superb defensive game.
Prisilla Rivera scored 13 points while Erika Raagas added 10 points for the Chargers, who bounced back from an opening day loss to the HD Spikers with a straight win over the UAI-Army Lady Troopers but dropped their next three matches.
