Creamline sweeps Akari for Reinforced crown, 9th PVL title

Creamline Cool Smashers celebrate their ninth championship in the PVL after beating Akari Chargers for the Reinforced crown. They beat the Chargers in the PVL finals on Wednesday. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines –Creamline encountered virtually no fightback in securing a ninth overall championship after sweeping first-time finalist Akari, 25-15, 25-23, 25-17, in the PVL Reinforced Conference Final on Wednesday at PhilSports Arena.

Conference and Finals MVP Bernadeth Pons posted 19 points built on 14 attacks and five aces and highlighted an all-around performance with 12 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions to guide the Cool Smashers to a second Reinforced crown, her first of the kind with the club.

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Erica Staunton, the Creamline import, did not need to do much of the heavy lifting with 13 points on nine kills, three blocks and an ace while Michele Gumabao added 10 points thanks to Kyle Negrito’s 17 excellent sets.

RESULTS: 2024 PVL Reinforced final September 4

“With the hard work of our players, we got this championship,” coach Sherwin Meneses said.

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Meeting the Chargers for the first time this conference, Creamline refused to handle Akari with care and was relentless in dragging Akari back to Earth with a first loss in 11 games.

Oly Okaro’s 14 points were not enough to prevent Akari’s 10-game win streak from being snapped. Grethcel Soltones added nine points.

Akari, which managed to turn the momentum to its side in previous marathon matches, was backed into a corner it could not escape for the first time this conference.

READ: PVL: Erica Staunton’s leadership bringing best out of Creamline

The walls closed in on the Chargers after being down two sets as Creamline manufactured a 13-9 lead in the deciding frame.

Staunton extended the Cool Smashers’ lead to 19-11 with a smart play, dropping the ball to an uncovered spot on Akari’s floor.

Pons landed an emphatic combination play as the crowd erupted with chants of MVP and brought all momentum to Creamline’s way. With nerves of steel, the Far Eastern product sneaked an ace and to secure the Cool Smashers’ legacy, Panaga hammered in a quick attack.

Creamline chants MV-Pons! #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/O4eonDrG6K

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) September 4, 2024

But even after adding another gold to to the team’s collection, Meneses believes that Creamline can still be better.

“We still have a lot of room to grow because our bench players are still young and I hope Creamline’s achievements continue,” Meneses said after his role players carried their club to this success.

Creamline will try to keep its momentum as it journeys through the Invitational Conference.