Creamline showed resilience and re-displayed its endgame poise as it overcame fatigue and a determined Kurashiki Ablaze, claiming a 25-22, 25-22, 26-28, 25-21 victory before a big Sunday crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
With the win, Creamline matched Cignal's 2-0 start in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational 2024, while snapping Kurashiki’s strong 2-0 start.
The Cool Smashers were on track for a sweep after narrowly taking the first two frames, but a frenetic and extended duel in the third saw Kurashiki rally, taking the set 28-26.
Despite the momentum shift, Creamline regrouped, withstanding a tough start to the fourth set and pulling away in the closing stages.
Saki Tanabe of Kurashiki leveled the score at 14 with a backrow hit, but the Cool Smashers responded with a decisive 5-0 run, spearheaded by Erica Staunton’s consecutive hits, including an ace.
Creamline went into the last technical timeout with a 16-14 lead and never looked back.
Kurashiki's woes were compounded by two overreaching violations, while a quick hit by Pangs Panaga all but sealed the win at 23-17. Although Kurashiki managed to save three match points, trimming the deficit to 21-24, Staunton capped the match with a perfectly executed combination play, ending the contest in one hour and 59 minutes.
The victory solidified Creamline’s position at the top of the standings alongside Cignal, both with undefeated records, while Kurashiki, fresh off dominant wins over EST Cola and Farm Fresh, absorbed its first loss of the tournament.
The defeat also marked Kurashiki’s first setback in the PVL Invitational since sweeping last year's edition, where the Ablaze clinched the championship with a dramatic five-set win over the Cool Smashers.
“We had to stay disciplined,” said Michele Gumabao, who was named Player of the Game after tallying 19 points, including 17 attacks and two kill blocks. “Kurashiki has a very good system – they thrive on fast play. They’re not the tallest team, but they work incredibly hard on defense, both at the net and on the floor. That’s something we focused on during the game.”
Panaga and setter Kyle Negrito added eight points each, while Bea de Leon contributed four markers for Creamline. Despite trailing in spiking statistics, 56-63, the Cool Smashers dominated at the net with eight blocks – six more than the Ablaze.
Creamline capitalized on Kurashiki’s shaky reception, scoring nine aces while conceding only three. The Cool Smashers also benefited from the Ablaze's unforced errors, scoring 21 points off mistakes – seven more than they committed themselves.
Saya Taniguchi, Tanabe and Mami Gonco tallied 14, 13, and 11 points, respectively, while Yukino Yano and Mei Cing Low chipped in nine and seven points for the Ablaze, who will look to rebound against the HD Spikers on Wednesday.
