Creamline Cool Smashers are returning to the PVL All-Filipino conference PVL Finals after sweeping Chery Tiggo Crossovers. –PVL PHOTO
Creamline will get to defend its PVL All-Filipino Conference crown as it booked a ticket to the Finals after cruising past Chery Tiggo, 25-16, 25-21, 25-20, Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Tots Carlos was instrumental in making that happen with the three-time league Most Valuable Player delivering 16 points from 11 attacks, three blocks and the Cool Smashers’ only two aces.
“Masaya kami at naka-Finals kami ulit, pero hindi pa tapos yung trabaho, ang target naman is ma-defend yung crown so mag-pprepare muna ulit kami kung sino man yung makalaban namin,” coach Sherwin Meneses said.
READ: PVL: Tots Carlos grateful for chance to learn during Korea tryout
“Masaya kami na meron na kaming sure spot sa championship, natutuwa lang din ako kasi nakikita namin yung teamwork and yung suporta sa bawat isa na hindi kami tumitigil kahit na may mga times na na-block kami or hindi maganda yung mga pasa namin,” Carlos said.
“Yung back up namin sa isa’t isa nandun so yun yung pinaka-natutuwa ako personally and nagkakaroon kasi ng result eh so yun naman talaga yung tinuturo nila coach samin, yung teamwork and yung suporta and yung tiwala sa isa’t isa,” Carlos added.
Creamline Cool Smashers’ Tots Carlos. –PVL PHOTO
Alyssa Valdez had Carlos’ back after contributing 10 points, nine coming from attacks, thanks in part to Kyle Negrito’s 16 excellent sets to boost the Cool Smashers to a 2-1 card in the semifinals.
Who meets the defending champions in the championship series will be decided in the other semifinal pairing between last conference’s bridesmaid finisher Choco Mucho and Petro Gazz, who are battling as of posting.
READ: PVL: Playing without Tots Carlos no excuse for Creamline loss
Chery Tiggo, which will fight whoever ends up third for the bronze medal, was far from being the crew it had been when it carved out an upset in the preliminary round against Creamline.
‘…SURE NA BA ‘YAN?’ 😅
WATCH: Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses, who had to clarify if they’re actually in the Finals, Kyle Negrito, Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza after the win over Chery Tiggo. #PVL2024 | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/idGeRi0Xoh
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 5, 2024
No Crossover reached the twin digits with Aby Maraño and Eya Laure finishing only with eight points as Mylene Paat contributed seven points. Chery Tiggo also had no answer to the 40 attacks launched by Creamline.
“Happy [with the win] pero … hindi kami nasa-satisfy sa season na to kasi hindi pa namin natatapos yung championship so bawal mag-relax,” said Jema Galanza who added six points. “Kailangan focus talaga kami 100 percent kasi for sure yung makakalaban namin gustong-gusto kaming matalo and makuha yung championship.”
With two sets already in the bag, Creamline did not allow Chery Tiggo to entertain hopes of making a comeback and created a 17-12 lead in the decider.
Chery Tiggo tried to narrow the gap after Negrito sent a service outside before Pauline Gaston let out a quick attack and Ara Galang blocked Carlos, 23-19.
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Chery Tiggo had another miscommunication with an overset but Galanza also had a service sail out. Carlos finally saw an opening and took it with an attack off the middle for the game point.
“Ngayon siguro yung panalo namin ngayon, sobrang ganda kasi talagang every point pinaglalabanan ng mga players. Sana ma-improve pa namin sa Finals at ma-defend namin yung crown,” Meneses said.
