Finally! ALYSSA VALDEZ! Walang Kupas! NAGPASIKLAB sa Laban! CREAMLINE VS KINGWHALE TAIPEI

Alyssa Valdez leads way again as Creamline defeats Cignal in PVL semis

Creamline Cool Smashers relied on another clutch performance by Alyssa Valdez to defeat Cignal HD Spikers, 23-25, 25-16, 25-21, 24-26, and 15-10, in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational semifinals on Saturday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

The national women’s volleyball team skipper scattered a conference-best 22 points on 18 attacks, two blocks, and two service aces as the Cool Smashers moved closer to a return trip to the finals.

Diana Carlos and Jessica Galanza of the Cool Smashers connected, turning a slim 9-8 lead into a 12-8 spread after the HD Spikers pushed them to the limit midway through the fifth set, following their failure to close out the match in the fourth set.

Frances Molina stopped the bleeding for the HD Spikers with an offspeed attack before Valdez and Jovelyn Gonzaga exchanged hits, which put the Cool Smashers ahead by three, 13-10, once again.

Carlos then sent the defending champions, Cool Smashers, to match point at 14-10 with a booming connection before Valdez closed out the tightly contested match with an attack point.

“Ang Creamline naman, proven na yan sa five-setter. Whether kung ano yung resulta, basta sila naglalaro lang naman sila,” said Cool Smashers head coach Sherwin Meneses. “Masaya kami kasi clean na lumalapit yung situation na makapunta ulit kami sa finals.”

Carlos scored a team-high 27 points built on 25 attacks to lead the Cool Smashers. Galanza finished with 21 points, 17 excellent digs, and eight excellent receptions, while Julia Morado-de Guzman finished with 33 excellent sets.

Molina ended with 28 points to lead the HD Spikers (2-1); Rachel Anne Daquis contributed 14 points; and Marivic Meneses and Gonzaga chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively, in the loss.