The Creamline Cool Smashers sent the Choco Mucho Flying Titans on the brink of elimination after sweeping them in their 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference clash.
The Creamline Cool Smashers continued their mastery of the Choco Mucho Flying Titans after another dominant straight-sets victory, 25-16, 25-19, 31-29, in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Saturday, August 17.
With the win, the Cool Smashers now sit with a 5-2 record, tied with the PLDT High Speed Hitters and Chery Tiggo Crossovers for the third-best record in the team standings.
The loss also put the Flying Titans on the brink of elimination from the Reinforced Conference as they drop to a 2-5 record for 9th place.
While it was a sweep, Creamline had to work double time in the third set. Following comfortable wins in the opening two sets, the Cool Smashers trailed by as many as nine points in the decisive third, 14-23, before Erica Staunton and Michele Gumabao slowly but surely kept their squad in the game.
A fourth set looked like in the cards after Maicah Ortiz's quick attack to put Choco Mucho at match point, 24-19, but Staunton and middle blocker Pangs Panaga delivered four-straight points to bring them to within one.
Stepping up to the plate again, Panaga’s service proved difficult for the Flying Titans to send over, tying the match at 24-all.
After an intense extended frame, Panaga delivered another clutch moment after her kill block on Royse Tubino to give Creamline the lead at 30-29.
Staunton then sealed the incredible comeback victory in the third set after her cross-court kill, much to the delight of the 9,429-strong crowd of the MOA Arena.
Staunton was hailed the Player of the Game with 19 points on 17 attacks and two blocks.
Bernadeth Pons finished with another triple-double outing of 12 points, 13 excellent digs, and 14 excellent receptions. Gumabao and De Leon contributed 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
Santiago-Manabat was the lone-double digit scorer for the Flying Titans with 10 points.