Creamline picks up fifth win, pushes Army to brink

The Creamline Cool Smashers pulled away late in the third set as they made quick work of Army Black Mamba in straight sets, 25-20, 25-22, 25-16, and finished the elimination round on a high note on Saturday in the 2022 PVL Invitational Conference.

The Cool Smashers improved to a 5-1 win-loss card while the Lady Troopers slid to an even 3-3 slate.

Creamline and Army saw a tight affair in the third frame with the Kungfu Reyes-mentored club closing the gap to one, 16-17, off a Honey Royse Tubino attack. But Creamline retaliated, igniting for an 8-0 run capped by an ace from veteran setter Jia Morado to close the deal, 25-16.

Prior to that, Creamline also had to fend off rallies from Army in the first and second sets as the Lady Troopers tried to book an outright semis slot.

Alyssa Valdez led Creamline with 15 points built on 12 attacks, one block, and two service aces to go along with 11 excellent receptions while Tots Carlos poured 13 markers and 9 digs.

Jema Galanza, whose back-to-back kills propelled Creamline to the match point, chimed in with 11 points and six digs.

Creamline on Thursday had already formalized its entry to the semifinals, where two international clubs in Kobe Shinwa Women's University of Japan and KingWhale of Taipei will join for another single-round robin tiff.

Army, meanwhile, is not yet eliminated but its chances of booking a semis spot will hinge on the two remaining games later today.

—JMB, GMA News