Creamline earns first ticket to semis

MANILA, Philippines — It was just a matter of time.

Creamline posted an emphatic 25-20, 25-21, 25-17 win over PLDT yesterday and made sure that its entry into the semifinals of the PVL All-Filipino Conference won’t suffer any more delays at the PhilSports Arena.

Tots Carlos and Ced Domingo alternated in dealing the big blows and finished with 18 and 17 points, respectively, while Jema Galanza chipped in 11 hits after calling in sick the last time out as the Cool Smashers collected their sixth win in seven games.

The proud franchise clinched the first slot and the top seeding in the best-of-three semis regardless of the outcome of its final game against Akari at the San Agustin Gymnasium in Iloilo on Tuesday.

No one was really surprised that Creamline made it to the semis first as it came in with a loaded roster despite the absence of team captain Alyssa Valdez, still out due to a knee injury.

Creamline’s bid was momentarily derailed by a five-set loss to bitter rival F2 Logistics last Feb. 18. But it bounced back strong against PLDT.

“Syempre happy kami nakapasok ulit sa semis,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses.

The High Speed Hitters came into the duel with high hopes of giving Creamline a run for its money. But they were reduced to ashes and slipped to 4-2.