The Cool Smashers will shift their focus to the semifinals.
When in doubt, the Creamline Cool Smashers always find a way to turn things around in their favor.
Already assured of a semifinals slot in the PVL Invitational Conference, the Cool Smashers bucked some uneven moments to preserve their spotless record in Pool A as they defeated the Akari Chargers in four sets, 25-19, 24-26, 26-24, 25-19, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Jema Galanza led the way for Creamline with 16 points on 13 attacks, 1 block, and 2 aces.
The win, though, didn’t come easy for the Cool Smashers.
For some parts of the game, the defending champs looked like they were ripe for the picking, specifically back in the third set where they fell behind by 7 behind some inspired play from the Chargers.
“Medyo nag-lack kami sa blocking and sa defense, so talagang kinakapa namin talaga 'yung play nila and 'yung training talaga namin sa mga palo nila,” Galanza said during the post-game interview.
But if there’s one thing for certain about the Cool Smashers, it’s that they always find a way to adjust in-game.
“Basta sinasabi lang namin sa isa't isa na hahapitan namin ito kahit gaano kalayo,” said Galanza. “Madami na kaming mga score na malayo na talaga [pero] nahahabol, so ngayon, ito talaga nacha-challenge kami, so nilaban lang namin.”
Having played all of their Pool A games already, Creamline will wait for the semifinals to begin on July 20, where the two guest teams are already waiting.
Akari, meanwhile, will look to grab their first win in the conference when they face the Gerflor Defenders on Tuesday, July 18.
(MDB)