CREAMLINE eliminated Farm Fresh from medal contention with a 25-15, 25-13, 25-19 victory yesterday in the PVL Invitational Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Ace spiker Jema Galanza returned to the Cool Smahsers after missing the Reinforced Conference due to Alas Pilipinas national team duties and delivered 13 points off 11 attacks and two blocks as Creamline completed a 4-0 elimination sweep.
Outside hitter Bernadeth Pons made offensive and defensive contributions for the Cool Smashers with eight points, 10 digs, and eight excellent receptions while playmaker Kyle Negrito tossed 17 excellent sets and three markers.
Veteran Michele Gumabao chipped in seven points, even as she sat out the final frame, while American import Erica Staunton contributed five markers in limited action during the opening set.
It was a well-rounded offensive display from Creamline, with 10 players tallying at least three points. The Cool Smashers overwhelmed the Foxies in attacks 51-31, underscoring their firepower and depth as they look to make history.
Creamline is one win away from completing a grand slam conquest after earlier bagging the All-Filipino and Reinforced Conference, with the winner-take-all Invitational final opposite either Kurashiki or Cignal set today at the Big Dome.
“Siyempre number one, iyong rest ng mga players nadagdagan. Dikit dikit talaga iyong games so thankful kami nakuha namin iyong panalo before kami maglaro (para sa finals). Sana maging maganda iyong gising namin (para sa finals),” Cool Smashers coach Sherwin Meneses said.
Japanese guest player Asaka Tamaru was the lone bright star for Farm Fresh with 10 markers as the Foxies ended their bid winless.
