Jeanette Panaga delivered an inspired performance to push Creamline to a 25-22, 22-25, 25-5, 25-19 win over Chery Tiggo in their 2022 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference best-of-three Battle for Third series.
The 6-foot middle blocker registered 14 points on nine blocks to lead the All-Filipino Cool Smashers after not fielding Turkish import Yeliz Basa.
Panaga wanted to show out because her mother Annie was watching her live for the first time in a Creamline jersey.
"Sobrang nainspire ako and sobrang happy ako na pumunta siya dito sa game. Hindi niya pa alam na hindi kami nakapasok ng Finals sabi ko 'Ma, hindi kami nakapasok ng Finals' pero sabi niya 'Nak, manonood ako for you'," said Panaga during the TV postgame interview as the camera panned to her mother beside her girlfriend Michelle Morente.
"She means a lot to me talaga so grabe, sobrang nainspire ako kapag nanonood 'yung nanay ko."
Her blocking output of nine also matched the season-high which was recorded by Rose Doria during Cignal's 17-25, 20-25, 27-25, 25-22, 15-5 victory over PLDT in the Invitational Conference.
"Ha? Ako ba? Totoo? this season?," said the shocked Panaga upon learning she got that record.
"Actually, ang mindset lang talaga namin ng team ay maglaro na lang kami and ibalik namin yung happy happy lang parang less pressure," added the 28-year-old out of College of St. Benilde.
