Creamline, Akari face off in KO finale

MANILA, Philippines — Creamline has done almost everything in the Premier Volleyball League except winning a three-peat.

The proud dynastic franchise tries to accomplish that feat as it clashes with Akari in today’s PVL Reinforced Conference knockout finale at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The scheduled 6 p.m. match is in the balance, though, as PLDT lodged a protest yesterday regarding a crucial decision late in the final set that tilted the balance in Akari’s favor.

On match point, 14-13, PLDT coach Rald Ricafort called a challenge on a net touch by Akari’s Ezra Madrigal.

After a long, heated discussion, league officials decided there was no touch, and the point went to Akari, knotting the count at 14-all. And eventually, the Chargers took the match.

League commissioner Sherwin Malonzo cited an FIVB rule that states “the second motion away from play, net fault is considered no contact with the net.”

If PLDT doesn’t get the decision it sought, it will play sister team Cignal in the battle for third in another one-game affair at 4 p.m.

Meanwhile, PLDT team manager Bajjie del Rosario said his team had withdrawn from the PVL Invitationals set less than a week from now, citing injuries to key players.

“Hindi naman dahil sa controversial call. Sumulat na ako kay PVL last week pa na mag pass sa Invitational kasi sobra tight ng sked going to the All-Filipino Conference,” said Del Rosario. “Prioritize muna namin mag recover from injuries players namin.”

The Cool Smashers, who came back from the dead to score an epic 20-25, 26-28, 25-18, 27-25, 15-13 squeaker over the Cignal HD Spikers Saturday at the MOA Arena, have posted so many records in the PVL including most number of championships won with eight, most finals appearances with 12 and the longest streak of podium finishes at 15.

Creamline has also had three runner-up finishes and the same number of third-place trophies.

Regardless of the result of its 6 p.m. showdown with Akari, there is another trophy awaiting the great club.