MANILA, Philippines – The Creamline Cool Smashers made it to the final stretch of their Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference title defense. 

The Cool Smashers showed no mercy on the Pacifictown Army Lady Troopers with a straight-set drubbing, 25-12, 25-18, 25-13, in Game 2 of the semifinals on Saturday, July 6, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. 

Kuttika Kaewpin led a balanced scoring effort with 12 points, all from attacks, as Creamline completed a sweep of the best-of-three series.

Creamline clinched its third straight finals appearance to set up a heated Finals showdown against league No.1 PetroGazz Angels on Wednesday, July 10. 

“If we wanted to reach the finals, we had to play as a team, we had to step up from the bench, we had to play a different kind of game,” said Creamline standout Michele Gumabao. “Our performance kind of dipped in the last 3 games, but we proved it now that we’re back in the PVL finals.”

The defending champions flashed a more dominant form as they got off to an 8-0 start to the match. 

The Lady Troopers, who dragged the Cool Smashers to 4 sets in Game 1, only showed signs of life when they rallied back with a 5-0 run in the 2nd set when Creamline was at set point, 24-18. 

Pacifictown was unable to complete the comeback, though, as a service error by Jovelyn Gonzaga had them surrendering a 2-0 match advantage to Creamline. 

Although the Lady Troopers stayed within striking distance early in the 3rd set, 8-10, Creamline pulled away with a 10-point lead that allowed them to easily close out the game. – Rappler.com