MANILA – Creamline Cool Smashers clawed back from two sets down to defeat Cignal HD Spikers, 20-25, 26-28, 25-18, 27-25, 15-13, in the PVL Reinforced Conference semifinals on Saturday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Erica Staunton delivered a season-high of 38 points, built on 36 attacks, one block, and a service ace, as the Cool Smashers barged to the knockout finals against Akari Power Chargers tonight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Amazing. I am very excited. I feel lucky to be part of this team,” said Staunton. “I think we just tried to stay composed, especially me, this is my first time in the semifinals so my teammates have more experience in this game.”
After dropping the first two sets, the Cool Smashers were on fire in the third and fourth frames behind Staunton, Bernadeth Pons, and Michele Gumabao as they send the knockout semis game to a deciding set.
In the fifth set, the HD Spikers surged to an early 7-4 lead behind Frances Molina, but the Cool Smashers quickly erased it and took a 13-10 advantage courtesy of attacks from Gumabao and Staunton.
Cignal made their last push at 12-13 on back-to-back connections by MJ Perez, but Creamline reached match point on a conversion by Staunton before they completed the reverse sweep on a HD Spikers attack error.
“This is a big test of our character and faith that we got in ourselves. I am just happy that we were able to push through, reverse sweep is not easy and we really worked as one team, one family,” said Gumabao, who contributed 10 points in the win.
Meanwhile, the Power Chargers survived a tough challenge from PLDT High Speed Hitters for a 25-22, 18-25, 22-25, 26-24, 17-15 victory and enter the finals with an unbeaten record.
Oly Okaro spearheaded the offense with 39 points, built on 35 attacks and four blocks, while Ivy Lacsina added 19 markers as the Power Chargers secured their first-ever PVL finals appearance.
“We have prepared hard for games like this, we know we can do it. Knowing that all our hardwork has paid off and it showed in this game,” Okaro said. “We’re ready for the finals, we’re hot, we’re gonna fight, and let’s see what happens.”/PN
