KingWhale Taipei outlasts Creamline, secures Finals ticket

KingWhale Taipei outlasted erstwhile undefeated Creamline Cool Smashers in a five-set thriller, 25-15, 17-25, 25-22, 24-26, 15-5, to go unblemished in the 2022 PVL Invitational Conference semifinals round on Friday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.

With the win, Taipei is now assured of a finals seat after gaining a clean 3-0 slate with one more game to go while Creamline dropped to 3-1. Despite the loss, Creamline will still compete in the championship round.

Beatriz Flavio De Carvalho once again took the scoring cudgels for KingWhale, dropping a game-high 24 points built on 19 attacks, two blocks, and three service aces while Li-Jun Chen registered 17.

Alyssa Valdez, who had an injury scare early in the game, and Michele Gumabao finished with 11 points each while Tots Carlos led the Cool Smashers with 15 markers.

The visitors opened their campaign with a straight-sets victory over Army Black Mamba before it denied PLDT High Speed Hitters a finals berth following a 23-25, 25-20, 25-23, 20-25, 15-13 conquest last Tuesday.

—MGP, GMA News