By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Creamline Cool Smashers are back to the finals after ousting the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, 26-24, 25-21, 25-21, in Game 2 of the PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Saturday night, December 9.

Diana Carlos top-scored with 19 points, including 18 attacks and one service ace, while Jessica Galanza chipped in 17 markers as the Cool Smashers closed the best-of-three series at 2-0.

Alyssa Valdez had another lengthy playing time as she ended up with 14 points, on 12 attacks and two blocks, while Jeanette Panaga contributed 10 markers and Kyle Negrito chipped in 18 excellent sets.

This was the defending champion Cool Smashers’ sixth consecutive All-Filipino Conference finals appearance while also stretching their overall unbeaten run to 13 games.

“Masaya kami na nakabalik kami sa finals, pero siguro mas tataasan pa namin ‘yung gusto naming makuha — ‘yun nga, ‘yung manalo sa finals,” Cool Smashers head coach Sherwin Meneses said.

“Magpe-prepare muna kami ulit kung sino sa dalawa ‘yung kalaban kasi maglalaro pa sila sa Tuesday, [December 12], then tsaka pa lang kami makaka-scout kung sino ‘yung makakalaban namin,” he added.

Ennajie Laure was the lone double-digit scorer for the Crossovers with 14 points, while Pauline Gaston and Ilongga Ma. Shaya Adorador contributed nine and eight markers, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Choco Mucho Flying Titans kept their title aspirations alive after a 25-23, 25-22, 25-22 victory over Cignal HD Spikers in Game 2 of their separate semifinal series.

Cherry Ann Rondina fired a game-high of 23 points on 20 attacks, two blocks and one service ace to go along with eight excellent receptions as the Flying Titans tied the score at 1-1.

Kat Tolentino chipped in 15 points on 13 attacks and two blocks.

Madeleine Madayag added eight markers, while Isa Molde had eight, along with 10 excellent digs and eight excellent receptions for Choco Mucho./ASC, WDJ