CREAMLINE struck down sister club Choco Mucho, 24-26, 25-20, 25-21, 25-16, in Game One of the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals on Thursday before 17,457 fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jema Galanza stood out in a game of quick-fire scoring runs with 20 points on 18 attacks and two blocks and 13 receptions as the Cool Smashers moved one win away from a league-best eighth championship and an All-Filipino three-peat.
READ: Brooke Van Sickle's 36 points lead Petro Gazz past Chery Tiggo in Game One
"Thankful lang ako sa team ko kasi binibigyan nila ako ng chance na mag-improve everyday. Kapag semis at (finals) kasi, ito 'yung mga laro na ang sarap ilaro. Intense talagang lumalaban 'yung kalaban so gusto ko lang din ilabas yung laro ko sa mga ganung ka-intense na games," said Galanza.
"Ang hirap maging consistent, ang hirap maging champion every conference pero makikita niyo sa'min na bawat isa, gusto naming nananalo at gusto namin makuha ang season na 'to," she added.
One huge scoring run followed the other shortly after Choco Mucho blasted past the defending champions in an extended opening set, 26-24.
Such scoring stretches include a 16-4 Creamline run to take Set 2, a squandered 12-5 Choco Mucho run in Set 3 and a match-clinching 13-2 Creamline charge to put the series opener away in four sets.
Aside from a strong 17-piece and 20 digs from Tots Carlos, the towering trifecta of Bea de Leon (11 points), Bernadeth Pons (eight points) and Michele Gumabao (seven points) proved to be the spark plugs off the bench for the depth-defying Cool Smashers.
Kyla Atienza cleared the floor for Creamline with 20 excellent digs paired by 19 excellent sets orchestrated by Kyle Negrito.
Meanwhile, reigning MVP Sisi Rondina's game-high 27 points, 12 digs and six receptions couldn't steer Choco Mucho over the line. Royse Tubino's 15 markers and Deanna Wong's 13 excellent sets also paced the series-opening defeat as the Flying Titans' title hopes hang in the balance come Game Two in three days' time.
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