Creamline, Akari arrange title showdown

MANILA, Philippines —  Never-say-die Creamline and Akari pulled off a pair of epic five-setters at the MOA Arena last night to arrange an intriguing Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference championship showdown.

Down but not out, the Cool Smashers battled back from a two-set deficit to escape past the Cignal HD Spikers, 20-25, 26-28, 25-18, 27-25, 15-13, while the Chargers erased a 2-1 deficit to edge the PLDT High Speed Hitters in a protest-marred 25-22, 18-25, 22-25, 26-24, 17-15 win.

That arranged an expectedly titanic one-game title showdown tomorrow at the Smart Araneta Coliseum where the dynastic Creamline franchise seeks a record ninth crown and newbie Akari eyeing a breakthrough crown.

“Amazing,” said Creamline’s import Erica Staunton, who went supernova with 38 points, some of which came when it mattered most – the deciding set.

The win ensured Creamline a 15 straight podium finish after having snared eight titles, a pair of runner-up finishes and three third-place performances.

For Akari, it stayed unbeaten in 10 outings and could make it a sweet title sweep if it could extend its fairy tale run by pulling the rug from under the league powerhouse right on the former’s finals debut.

But the Chargers win was not without some controversies as PLDT manager Bajjie del Rosario said they would challenge the decision of the league concerning a critical call late in the game.

“Will file a protest,” Del Rosario told The STAR, who decried the foot fault challenge it raised when PLDT was at championship point.

But game officials called it in favor of Akari, which went on to claim the upset.