Creamline ends slump, Cignal books PVL quarterfinal slot

Creamline reignited its Premier Volleyball League (PVL) title hopes by snapping a two-game losing streak with a crucial 25-21, 19-25, 25-16, 25-18 win over previously unbeaten Chery Tiggo to end its Pool B campaign on a high note in the PVL On Tour at the City of Passi Arena late Sunday.

The Cool Smashers leaned on veteran leadership and fierce composure to halt their slide and hand the Crossovers their first loss in four outings, improving to a 3-2 record and keeping their quarterfinal aspirations alive.

“Running on pride and urgency, we really needed this,” said team captain Alyssa Valdez, who led Creamline with 19 points in a vintage performance that steadied the team in crucial stretches.

Michele Gumabao delivered three of Creamline’s last seven points in the fourth set, while Pangs Panaga and Jema Galanza added 17 and 13 points, respectively.

Rookie Sheena Toring also made her presence felt with six points, helping neutralize the Crossovers’ attacks.

The match took a tense turn in the fourth set when Panaga’s spike struck the post, sending the net into Chery Tiggo rookie Renee Penafiel.

With Creamline ahead 18-16, head referee Bobby Celso ordered a replay after a flurry of counter-challenges and heated deliberation.

The Cool Smashers then closed with a decisive 7-2 run to seal the victory in two hours and 12 minutes.

“We stayed focused even when things got messy,” said Gumabao. “We needed to show that we’re still contenders.”

Chery Tiggo, coming off a four-set stunner over Cignal the night before, slipped to 3-1 but remains in strong contention for an outright quarterfinal berth.

Peñafiel, Ara Galang, and Cess Robles each finished with 11 points to lead the Crossovers, while Pauline Gaston and veteran Aby Maraño added seven and five points, respectively.

Despite a spirited second-set comeback, Chery Tiggo faltered in the pivotal third and couldn’t regain rhythm after the fourth-set delay.

Creamline outgunned the Crossovers in attacks, 60-48, held an 8-5 edge in blocks, and fired seven aces to just one for Chery Tiggo.

The Cool Smashers gave up 26 unforced errors, but more than made up for it with improved execution and a dominant third set.

Valdez came up clutch in the fourth, sparking a 4-0 burst to turn a 12-all tie into a 16-12 cushion at the second technical timeout.

Galanza and Valdez then kept Creamline in control with back-to-back wing hits before the late-game delay.

Panaga and Toring’s quick plays at the net helped stall a Chery Tiggo rally before Gumabao and Galanza iced the match with key hits.

Although the win didn’t secure Creamline an automatic spot in the Last 8, it restored confidence after back-to-back losses to Cignal and ZUS Coffee.

“It was important to bounce back like this,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses. “We’re still in the fight.”

In the second game, Cignal bounced back from a four-set loss to Chery Tiggo with a dominant 25-22, 25-17, 21-25, 25-16 win over ZUS Coffee, clinching the first quarterfinal berth in Pool B with a 4-1 record.

Erika Santos erupted for a season-high 30 points — 29 from attacks — in a statement performance that underscored her value as the team’s prized off-season acquisition.

“Pinaghandaan namin ito,” said Santos, named Best Player of the Game. “Yesterday, medyo off kami lahat. This time, we stayed composed and just enjoyed the game.”

Lalongisip and Jackie Acuña added 15 and 11 points, respectively, while middle blocker Roselyn Doria-Aquino chipped in nine.

Setter Gel Cayuna tallied 27 excellent sets and scored six points of her own, including highlight 1-2 plays that kept the Thunderbelles guessing.

ZUS Coffee fell to a 2-2 record despite a 20-point outing from Chinnie Arroyo.

Chai Troncoso added nine points, while Fiola Ceballos and rookie AC Miner each scored eight in a gallant effort.

Cignal dominated offensively, 71-49, and led in blocks, 9-5, despite committing 23 unforced errors.

After conceding the third set, the HD Spikers raced to a 6-2 lead in the fourth behind Santos and never looked back.

She capped her performance with a scorching down-the-line hit to bring Cignal to match point, before a successful floor touch challenge ended the match.

“Lahat nag-sakripisyo,” said Santos, deflecting praise to her teammates.

The PVL On Tour takes a five-day break before resuming action on July 26 at the USJ-R Coliseum in Cebu City.

Nxled faces PLDT at 4 p.m., followed by Galeries Tower against Farm Fresh at 6:30 p.m.