Creamline, Choco Mucho draw first blood in respective PVL semis campaigns

Creamline and Choco Mucho both moved to within a win of making it to the finals.

The Cool Smashers survived a five-set thriller against another heavyweight PetroGazz, 27-29, 25-23, 16-25, 25-17, 16-14, in Game 1 of their best-of-three semifinal series in the 2021 PVL Open Conference Sunday at the PCV Socio-Civic and Cultural Center.

Tots Carlos made crucial plays in the fifth set as she unleashed 23 points off 22 attacks and an ace while team captain Alyssa Valdez carved out team-high 25 markers.

Jema Galanza was also instrumental to the win with 16 points while veteran Michele Gumabao had 13.

In the other bracket, Choco Mucho swept Chery Tiggo, 25-18, 25-22, 25-21, to also move on cusp of finals appearance.

Setter Deanna Wong lifted the Flying Titans as the former Ateneo playmaker poured four points along with 16 excellent sets as they got back to Chery Tiggo, who defeated them on Saturday night in the last day of eliminations.

Both Creamline and Choco Mucho will look to seal their finals ticket on Monday, August 9, in Game 2.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News