Creamline snaps PetroGazz’s perfect run for share of PVL lead

MANILA, Philippines – Creamline stained PetroGazz’s perfect record in a four-set revenge win, 25-18, 21-25, 25-19, 26-24, in the 2019 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference on Saturday, June 22 at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The thriller put both Creamline and PetroGazz on top the standings, sharing identical 7-1 records. 

PetroGazz looked poised to stretch the game to 5 sets, but Creamline incredibly rose from a 21-24 set deficit sparked by an Ale Blanco block and capped by Alyssa Valdez’s match-clinching hit. 

Thai import Kuttika Kaewpin powered the Cool Smashers with 18 points while a clutch Valdez finished with 16 points.

The Venezuelan Blanco had 5 blocks in a 12-point performance, veteran setter Jia Morado dished out 23 excellent sets and scored 8, as Michele Gumabao also chipped in 8 points for the Cool Smashers. 

Angels imports, American Janisa Johnson and Cuban Wilma Salas, combined for 45 points in the tough loss.

Earlier, Motolite nabbed its third win in a five-setter, 23-25, 23-25, 25-14, 25-14, 15-12, over BaliPure. 

Motolite improved to 3-5 to stay in the Final Four race, while the winless Water Defenders bowed out of playoff contention with a 0-8 slate. 

Channon Thompson led Motolite’s come-from-behind win with 27 points off 22 attacks, 3 blocks, and 2 aces while Krystele Esdelle also chipped in 24 attacks.

“We’re happy and relieved. It speaks of our team’s character and resilience,” said Thompson.

BaliPure’s Montenegrin import Denijela Dzakovic paced the Water Defenders with 18 points. – Czarina Brozo/Rappler.com