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| Tots Carlos produced another monster game as Creamline is a win away from the three-peat. PVL Media Bureau |
By Ricky Manliguis
MANILA,
Philippines—Creamline overcame a rabid onslaught of Chery Tiggo before pulling
a nail-biting 25-15, 25-21, 18-25, 19-25, 15-7 win and take Game 1 of the
Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Open Conference Finals Wednesday night at the PCV
Socio-Civic and Cultural Center in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.
The Cool
Smashers unleashed a brilliant fifth set display behind Alyssa Valdez and Tots
Carlos to stall an uprising by the Crossover en route to moving a win away from
claiming a third straight title.
This is
also the fifth straight five-set affair won by the squad this conference.
Carlos and Valdez came away with 26 and 21 points, respectively, while combining for 43 of the team's 61 total attacks. Jema Galanza chipped in 17, while setter Jia Morado fired seven on four service aces and 41 excellent sets.
With Jaja
and Dindin Santiago doing the damage, Chery Tiggo battled from a 0-2 set
deficit to force a fifth set and looked poised for an upset.
But the
Cool Smashers got its bearings back in the deciding set, racing to a 9-4 lead
and never looked back. Valdez scored to make it 13-6, while Jia Morado’s ace
moved the team to match point. Chery Tiggo got a point back, before Valdez fired
another hit to the middle for the final count.
Jaja Santiago cashed in 25 markers on 22 kills while Dindin Manabat issued 19 for Chery Tiggo, which played its fifth successive game in as many days.
Game 2 is
set on Thursday.
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