Creamline sweeps Cignal to claim PVL On Tour bronze medal
The multi-titled Cool Smashers, who fell to PLDT in the semifinals and missed a return trip to the championship round, leaned on veteran opposite hitter Michele Gumabao, who delivered 21 points on 16 attacks, three blocks, and an ace to secure a podium finish.
The HD Spikers raced to a 24-20 lead in the second set following a service error from Creamline's Aleiah Torred. However, the Cool Smashers did not press the panic button with setter Rhea Villarete providing the spark, serving an ace to cap a 4-0 run that tied things up at 24-all.
Cignal then took another set point when Jackie Acuña denied Jema Galanza from the left side, 27-26, but Cignal made a costly call to challenge a floor touch play that turned out unsuccessful and allowed Creamline to force another deadlock at 27-all.
Gumabao then finished it off, rejecting Acuña on her quick attack before swinging from the opposite side as Creamline moved on the verge of a sweep victory.
Cignal kept it close in the third set after Erin Pangilinan completed a running kill and Galanza committed an attack error to trail by just one, 17-18.
But a composed Creamline closed it out with calmness as Gumabao squeezed it between two blockers to bring the Cool Smashers to a 23-17 cushion before Galanza unloaded an ace for the match point.
A net touch violation was then called against Cignal as Creamline wrapped up the straight-sets triumph.
Galanza chipped in 13 points laced with eight digs and seven receptions while team captain Alyssa Valdez chimed in with 12 markers and seven receptions.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
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