The Creamline Cool Smashers blemish Chery Tiggo’s erstwhile perfect record, returning to their winning ways in PVL on Tour.
The Creamline Cool Smashers barged back into the win column as they handed the Chery Tiggo Crossovers their first loss of the PVL on Tour, coming out on top in four sets, 25-21, 19-25, 25-16, 25-18, at the Passi City Arena in Iloilo on Sunday.
After a shock loss to ZUS Coffee, the Cool Smashers averted being relegated to the playin phase of the preseason showcase — at least for now — after denying Chery Tiggo its fourth victory.
With Cignal claiming the other outright quarterfinals berth in Pool B, a win for Chery Tiggo would’ve sent Creamline into the knockout play in round.
But the ever-reliable Alyssa Valdez unleashed a vintage performance to power Creamline to the pivotal win, helping them end the group phase with a 3-2 record.
In set 4, late drama derailed the match as a challenge prompted discussions between both teams and the officials after Creamline’s Pangs Panaga seemingly touched the net. A score for Chery Tiggo would’ve gotten the Crossovers within a point, 17-18.
Much discussion happened between officials and both teams, resulting in a lengthy delay that lasted for more than 15 minutes. Despite the unforeseen stoppage, Creamline kept its momentum and took advantage of some crucial errors from Chery Tiggo.
In the next play after the lengthy challenge, Renren Peñafiel committed an error that gave Creamline the 19-16 lead, which triggered a 7-2 finish for the Cool Smashers.
The victory allowed Creamline to put a stop to Chery Tiggo's three-game win streak.
Valdez nabbed Player of the Game honors with 19 points built off of 16 attacks and three aces.