By Adrian Stewart Co

Creamline Cool Smashers made it to the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Open Conference finals after a 27-25, 25-22, 25-16 sweep of Petro Gazz Angels in Game 2 of the semifinals on Monday at the PCV Socio-Civic Cultural Center in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.

Diana Carlos spearheaded the offense with 21 points, while Jessica Galanza and Jeanette Panaga contributed 12 and 10 markers, respectively, for the defending champions Cool Smashers.

Alyssa Valdez was limited on offense with nine points, while Risa Sato ended up with eight for the Cool Smashers, which will face the winner of Choco Mucho Flying Titans-Chery Tiggo Crossovers series in the best-of-three finals starting tonight.

“It’s a total team effort,” said Valdez. “All our coaches’ reminders were on point and we were able to apply all of them.”

Displaying grace under pressure, the Cool Smashers survived the Angels in the extended opening frame and was also able to out-steady their rivals in the stretch in the second set.

Holding to a slim 9-7 lead in the third set, the Cool Smashers broke away to storm to leads of 16-9, 18-11 and 23-14 as the Angels cracked after reeling on a bad break, enabling Creamline to cruise to the straight-set triumph.

Marivic Meneses top-scored for the Angels with nine points, Frances Xinia Molina added eight points, while Mary Remy Palma and Gretchel Soltonoes combined for 13 hits.

Myla Pablo, who tallied 26 points in their Game 1 defeat to the Cool Smashers last Sunday, struggled for the Angels in their do-or-die game as she was held to just three points./ASC, WDJ