Creamline formalized its semis entry in 2022 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference with a 25-14, 25-20, 21-25, 28-26 victory over ousted Chery Tiggo, Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The Crossovers, the first champions in the pro league era, closed out their unsuccessful elims stint with a 1-5 mark, their campaign hampered by injuries to key players and the absence of Japan league-based Jaja Santiago.
They put up one last stand in the fourth, saving three match points on Czac Carandang's quick attacks. But Jema Galanza soared for a kill to break the 26-all count and cap a 23-hit game then Jia de Guzman served an ace to wrap up the match.
Jema Galanza scored a game-high 23 points on 21 attacks and two aces to go along with seven excellent receptions.
"Okay naman yung naging game today, yung Chery talagang lalaban din talaga 'yan. 'Di basta basta magpapatalo 'yan syempre pro na tayo ngayon e. Hopefully, makakuha pa kami ng isang panalo bago mag-second round para maganda yung 'pag pasok ng semis," said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
Tots Carlos scored 20 points to go along with 14 excellent digs for Creamline while Valdez had 16 points and 13 digs in the four-set victory. De Guzman dished out 23 excellent sets and scored a point.
On the other hand, Chery Tiggo was led by Paat with 15 on 10 attacks, three kill blocks, and two aces. She also had six excellent digs in the loss that dropped them to 1-5 in the standings tied with Petro Gazz at the last spot.
