By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Creamline Cool Smashers moved on the cusp of another Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference grand finals appearance after taking down the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers, 26-24, 25-18, 22-25, 25-15, during Game 1 of the best-of-three semifinals last March 17, 2023.
It was a service accuracy display for the Cool Smashers after making things hard for the Cargo Movers to set up their offensive execution due to their crisp first balls.
Creamline, the no. 1 serving team in the PVL, converted most of their power serves which was too hard to deal with for F2 Logistics all game long.
Former Most Valuable Player (MVP) Tots Carlos led the charge for the Cool Smashers and let her presence felt early in the game with two thundering jumping spike serves to score two aces in the first 15 minutes of action.
Carlos also stepped up offensively in the most perfect time of the playoffs to finish Game 1 with 22 points built from 19 successful attacks, 17 excellent digs, and 15 successful receptions.
The hard-hitting outside spiker posted tons of problems for the Regine Diego-mentored squad as she was just unstoppable every time Jia Morado-De Guzman dished out her signature 1-2 quick play in the middle.
Backstopping Carlos in the hard-earned win was veteran spiker Michele Gumabao who contributed 20 points off 19 successful attacks and a block.
The Cargo Movers attempted to salvage one final run after taking the third set courtesy of their most consistent scorer Kim Kianna Dy but the Cool Smashers showed no mercy in the fourth and final set to end the duel in style.
In a post-game interview, F2’s head coach, Diego, addressed her team’s struggles in receiving the first ball and their disappointing unforced errors.
F2’s star outside hitter Myla Pablo is also yet to see action since suffering an ankle sprain in game last week and will reportedly reinforce the squad in the do-or-die Game 2 on March 23, 2023, to be held in the Mall of Asia Arena.
