CREAMLINE bagged the bronze medal in the Premier Volleyball League On Tour after scoring a 25-17, 29-27, 25-17 win over the Cignal HD Spikers yesterday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Veteran Michele Gumabao dropped 21 points built on 16 attacks, three blocks and two service aces to propel the Cool Smashers past their preliminary tormentors.
Outside spikers Jema Galanza added 13 markers, 12 excellent receptions and seven digs while skipper Alyssa Valdez tallied 12 points and seven excellent receptions for the Cool Smashers.
This is the fourth overall bronze finish for Creamline and the team’s 18th consecutive podium appearance in the league.
Creamline, along with Cignal, Chery Tiggo Crossovers and the PLDT High Speed Hitters, will participate in the league’s Invitational Conference, which will begin on Thursday at PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Japanese squads Kurashiki Ablaze and Kobe Shinwa University will be the guest teams in the Invitational Conference.
“Happy kami kasi nag-end iyong On Tour na podium nga. Hopefully, makabawi kami sa Invitational [Conference]. Doon kami magfo-focus para makabawi,” said Creamline mentor Sherwin Meneses.
“Katulad nga ng sinabi ko sa team namin, medyo mabilis iyong time para makabawi kami doon sa loss namin sa semifinals kasi Invitational agad. So ayun din iyong hinahabol din namin ngayon, makapasok kami sa finals sa Invitational. So ayun iyong target namin, makabawi sa Invitational,” he added.
Aside from its attacking prowess, Creamline also unleashed its blocking and serving artillery, denying Cignal at the net with 11 total blocks and dropping six service aces in the match.
In the third set, Creamline and Cignal tested each other’s grit at 18-17 but the Cool Smashers went on a 7-0 run to finish the match, with Valdez sealing the showdown with an off the block hit.
