May 17, 2024

PVL: Chery Tiggo halts Creamline's 19-game streak for emphatic bounce-back win

PVL: Chery Tiggo halts Creamline
Ara Galang and Chery Tiggo stun Creamline. | Photo (c) PVL

There's something in the air in Santa Rosa.

The Chery Tiggo Crossovers put a stop to their two-game skid after putting an end to the Creamline Cool Smashers' long run of dominance Saturday, March 16.

The Crossovers stunned the erstwhile-unbeaten Cool Smashers with a straight-set shocker in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex: 25-18, 26-24, 25-23.

The stunner halted the 19-game win streak of the defending champions, who last suffered a loss at the hands of Kurashiki Ablaze in the Finals of the 2023 Invitational Conference.

This also marked the first time Creamline absorbed a sweep since the league turned pro. The Cool Smashers' last straight-set defeat came at the hands of the Petro Gazz Angels in the 2019 Reinforced Conference.

Eya Laure spearheaded the thrust with a game-high 14 points built on 12 attacks and two aces, on top of four receptions.

Cza Carandang delivered her best performance in the conference yet with 12 markers, three of which coming from blocks, while Ara Galang contributed 10 points and six digs.

Jennifer Nierva made her presence felt on the defensive end with 20 digs and 10 receptions for the Crossovers, who hiked to a 3-2 card.

Chery Tiggo dictated the tempo right from the opening whistle, as the troika of Laure, Carandang and Galang took turns in pummeling Creamline for an early buffer.

The Cool Smashers found their form in the second frame, sprinting to a 24-22 edge. But the Crossovers banked on their defensive pressure to force their foes to commit costly errors before Galang completed the comeback.

Backed against the wall, Creamline played with renewed vigor and stayed in front midway through the decisive third. However, Chery Tiggo went on another steady surge down the stretch with Laure showing the way.

Jema Galanza poured in 13 points and nine receptions that went for naught as the Cool Smashers fell to 4-1.

Tots Carlos managed 12 markers and seven digs, while team captain Alyssa Valdez had five points in a lost cause.

Chery Tiggo will seek to build on this victory when it collides with Capital1, while Creamline will look to regain its winning form when it faces Petro Gazz on March 21, Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Arena.