The Creamline Cool Smashers secured a spot in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference quarterfinals after staging a stunning comeback to defeat Choco Mucho Flying Titans, 25-16, 25-19, 31-29, on Saturday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Trailing by nine points in the third set, the Cool Smashers showed their championship mettle, clawing back to clinch the set and the match, improving their record to 5-2.
The victory keeps Creamline firmly in the playoff hunt, with only one match left in the crossover round against the winless ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles on Thursday.
The Flying Titans, now at 2-5, saw their quarterfinal hopes dwindle as they remained in ninth place, trailing behind the eighth-ranked Farm Fresh Foxies (3-4).
Choco Mucho appeared on the verge of extending the match when they surged to a 23-14 lead in the third set.
However, Creamline, responding to the challenge laid down by coach Sherwin Meneses, mounted a relentless rally to turn the tide.
“Mga beterano na kayo, alam nyo na ang gagawin dyan,” Meneses reminded his players, urging them to rely on their experience.
The Cool Smashers delivered in dramatic fashion. After closing the gap to 19-23, Creamline’s strategic plays and pressure led to a series of crucial points.
Despite Choco Mucho’s attempts to seal the set, with Royse Tubino putting her team at set point twice, the Cool Smashers refused to buckle.
Erica Staunton’s crucial combination play and Bea de Leon’s block on Tubino were pivotal, giving Creamline its first lead in the set.
The Flying Titans saved four match points, but Creamline’s Pangs Panaga blocked Tubino to set up a sixth match point, followed by Staunton’s decisive kill that sealed the match.
Bernadeth Pons continued her stellar play, filling the void left by the absence of Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, and Alyssa Valdez. Pons led the Cool Smashers with 12 points, showcasing a versatile offensive arsenal.
“Honestly, I just leaned on my teammates,” Staunton said after the match. “Just knowing that we’re gonna do it, we’re gonna do it together. I just really appreciate all the confidence that they had in me.”
The match, witnessed by 9,429 fans including sports celebrities and Olympian rower Joanie Delgaco, saw Creamline control the first two sets with precision.
Despite a strong push from Choco Mucho in the second set, the Cool Smashers held firm, with Pons leading the charge and capitalizing on the Flying Titans’ errors.
In the third set, Choco Mucho, spearheaded by Dindin Manabat and Zoi Faki, appeared to be in control before Creamline’s remarkable comeback.
Staunton finished with 19 points, with solid contributions from Michele Gumabao and de Leon, who added 11 and 10 points respectively.
On the other side, Choco Mucho’s Tubino, Maddie Madayag, and Mars Alba combined for 15 points, while Manabat added 10 points.
Despite their efforts, the Flying Titans now face an uphill battle in their remaining matches.
The Flying Titans must defeat the PLDT High Speed Hitters in straight sets on Thursday and hope for a loss by the Farm Fresh Foxies to the unbeaten Akari Chargers on Tuesday to force a tie for the eighth and final playoff spot.
