Creamline Cool Smashers rejoice their ninth championship within the PVL after beating Akari Chargers for the Reinforced crown. They beat the Chargers within the PVL finals on Wednesday. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines –Creamline encountered virtually no fightback in securing a ninth overall championship after sweeping first-time finalist Akari, 25-15, 25-23, 25-17, within the PVL Reinforced Conference Final on Wednesday at PhilSports Arena.
Conference and Finals MVP Bernadeth Pons posted 19 points built on 14 attacks and five aces and highlighted an all-around performance with 12 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions to guide the Cool Smashers to a second Reinforced crown, her first of the sort with the club.
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Erica Staunton, the Creamline import, didn’t have to do much of the heavy lifting with 13 points on nine kills, three blocks and an ace while Michele Gumabao added 10 points due to Kyle Negrito’s 17 excellent sets.
RESULTS: 2024 PVL Reinforced final September 4
“With the exertions of our players, we got this championship,” coach Sherwin Meneses said.
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Meeting the Chargers for the primary time this conference, Creamline refused to handle Akari with care and was relentless in dragging Akari back to Earth with a primary loss in 11 games.
Oly Okaro’s 14 points weren’t enough to stop Akari’s 10-game win streak from being snapped. Grethcel Soltones added nine points.
Akari, which managed to show the momentum to its side in previous marathon matches, was backed right into a corner it couldn’t escape for the primary time this conference.
READ: PVL: Erica Staunton’s leadership bringing best out of Creamline
The partitions closed in on the Chargers after being down two sets as Creamline manufactured a 13-9 lead within the deciding frame.
Staunton prolonged the Cool Smashers’ result in 19-11 with a sensible play, dropping the ball to an uncovered spot on Akari’s floor.
Pons landed an emphatic combination play as the group erupted with chants of MVP and brought all momentum to Creamline’s way. With nerves of steel, the Far Eastern product sneaked an ace and to secure the Cool Smashers’ legacy, Panaga hammered in a fast attack.
Creamline chants MV-Pons! #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/O4eonDrG6K
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) September 4, 2024
But even after adding one other gold to to the team’s collection, Meneses believes that Creamline can still be higher.
“We still have plenty of room to grow because our bench players are still young and I hope Creamline’s achievements proceed,” Meneses said after his role players carried their club to this success.
Creamline will try to maintain its momentum because it journeys through the Invitational Conference.
