MANILA – Creamline Cool Smashers relied on its vaunted hitting to defeat Petro Gazz Angels, 25-16, 23-25, 25-12, 32-30, in Game 1 of the 2022 PVL Open Conference finals last night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Alyssa Valdez and Diana Carlos spearheaded the attack with 26 markers apiece for the Cool Smashers, which can clinch the PVL title in Game 2 on Friday at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Jessica Galanza added 17 points. Jeanette Panaga fired 13 points. The Cool Smashers is aiming to bounce back from a shock loss to Chery Tiggo Crossovers in the 2021 PVL Finals.
Carlos came up huge for the Cool Smashers late in the fourth set. She executed an off-speed hit to shatter a 30-all count before securing the win on an error by Angels’ Seth Rodriguez.
The Cool Smashers hammered 76 attack points against the Angels’ 41 to underscore their unparalleled firepower while their floor defense produced 89 digs, 58 more than their rivals.
Filipina-American Marjana Phillips finished with 13 points while Gretchel Soltones and Negrense Jonah Sabete combined for 23 points for the Angels.
Choco Mucho Flying Titans, meanwhile, showed nerves of steel as it pounded out a 25-17, 25-21, 21-25, 25-22 victory over Cignal HD Spikers to take a 1-0 edge in the best-of-three bronze medal series.
Deanna Wong put up a stellar performance orchestrating the Flying Titans’ offense and played a key role in defense, finishing with 30 excellent sets.
Kat Tolentino dished out another fiery outing for Choco Mucho with 23 points. Rose Ponce and Wong, meanwhile, anchored the back row with 26 and 20 digs, respectively.
The setback was the third straight for Cignal, which extended its skid following an impressive run of six victories, including a sweep of the five-team group prelims./PN
