In a match fraught with dramatic twists, contentious calls and high-stakes action, Creamline triumphed over Petro Gazz in a thrilling showdown that electrified the packed crowd at the Philsports Arena Thursday night, claiming a 27-25, 23-25, 27-25, 26-24 victory and reigniting its pursuit of a third straight All-Filipino crown in the Premier Volleyball League.
Jema Galanza, stepping into the spotlight, orchestrated Creamline’s remarkable comeback from a two set-point deficit in the fourth frame. Her outstanding performance, highlighted by 23 crucial points, steered the Cool Smashers to a stirring victory and earned her well-deserved recognition as the game’s top performer.
“Nanginginig po ako ngayon. Hindi ko ma-explain ang nararamdaman ko. Pero kanina, sabi ko na lang, ibibigay ko na lahat kasi ganun ko kamahal ang Creamline family (I’m trembling right now. I can’t explain what I’m feeling. But I just told myself, I’ll give my all because that’s how much I love the Creamline family,” said Galanza.
With the Angels poised to force a deciding fifth set at 24-22 following an assault from Aiza Pontillas, Galanza delivered a pivotal putaway to keep Creamline’s hopes alive. Then, amid a tense exchange, she sealed the set with a decisive kill, showcasing her prowess under pressure and sparking jubilant celebrations throughout the arena.
Creamline’s championship experience and composure were on full display as the Cool Smashers, who played catch-up majority of the fourth set, rallied and frustrated Petro Gazz’s efforts.
It also set the stage for a fiercely contested finals race in the league organized by Sports Vision.
Despite Petro Gazz’s aspirations to secure a finals berth after its four-set victory over Chery Tiggo, the Angels now find themselves tied with the Cool Smashers at 1-1. However, Creamline claims the provisional lead with four points, leaving Petro Gazz trailing with three.
Choco Mucho, which beat Creamline in the semis opener, and Chery Tiggo were still playing at presstime.
Creamline also drew strength and inspiration from the return of Tots Carlos, who despite the demanding travel schedule from Korea, she exhibited remarkable resilience, finishing with 21 points.
Pangs Panaga likewise held her ground in the middle, scoring 11 markers while Alyssa Valdez added 10 points and Michele Gumabao, Risa Sato and setter Kyle Negrito chipped in four points apiece in the two-hour, 28-minute victory.
Brooke Van Sickle and Jonah Sabete matched 22-point outputs, MJ Phillips dominated the middle with 17 markers, spiked by seven kill blocks, while Pontillas and Remy Palma added 10 and eight points, respectively, for the Angels, who produced 17 blocks compared to the Cool Smashers’ 10.
Creamline barely edged Petro Gazz in attacks, 62-61, underscoring both team’s firepower with the Cool Smashers scoring five aces against the Angels’ three.
The defending champions, however, pounced on the Angels’ erratic plays, netting 26 points while conceding 18 points.
In a crucial stretch of the third set, the Cool Smashers capitalized on crucial points from a couple of contentious calls and completed a remarkable comeback from two set points down, ultimately seizing a steal of a win and a 2-1 set advantage.
As the Angels held set point at 24-23 following a kill from Van Sickle, Phillips was controversially called for an overreaching infraction, much to the dismay of Phillips and the Petro Gazz bench, prolonging the set.
After Phillips executed a decisive quick attack play to score, Valdez unleashed a fierce assault that was initially deemed long by the head referee. However, amid protests from the Angels and the supporters, the call was eventually overturned following a check ball signaled by the first referee, sparking further uproar from the Petro Gazz camp.
This turn of events shifted the momentum in favor of Creamline, which clinched the set on a Pontillas’ wide crosscourt attack.
Earlier, aided by a Creamline miscue, Petro Gazz raced away from a tight second set skirmish to a 17-12 advantage and kept that five-point bulge with a powerful hit from Sabete.
However, the Cool Smashers swiftly responded with a remarkable five-point rally, culminating in a block off Palma that levelled the count, setting the stage for yet another intense finish similar to the previous set.
In the face of escalating tension, the Angels managed to score four of the next five points, capitalizing on a Sabete backrow hit off an out-of-system play and a solid double block by Phillips and Van Sickle on Carlos, propelling them to a 23-20 lead.
Undeterred, Carlos unleashed two straight hits, including a well-placed lob that found the baseline. Yet, Van Sickle’s off-the-block hit kept the Angels in control.
Despite a net violation from Sabete, Creamline couldn’t capitalize as Bernadette Points’ blast, set up by a tenacious dig from Carlos, sailed long, allowing the Angels to clinch the set and tie the match at one set apiece.
