Creamline secures top seed, outlasts Akari in four sets

Defending champion Creamline clinched the top seed after weathering Akari in four sets, 25-17, 25-22, 27-29, 25-8, to wrap up the elimination round of the 2023 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the San Agustin Gymnasium in Iloilo City.

The Cool Smashers will improve to 7-1 ahead of the semifinals while also-ran Akari will end its campaign at 2-6. Creamline will now head to the playoffs alongside other semifinalists Petro Gazz (6-2), F2 Logistics (6-2), and PLDT (5-2).

Chery Tiggo, Choco Mucho, Cignal, Army-Black Mamba, and Akari won't be moving forward.

Michele Gumabao steered Creamline with 19 points while Jema Galanza and Tots Carlos poured in 17 and 16 markers apiece as Creamline got a huge morale boost ahead of the semis. Carlos was also effective on the defense as she collected 12 digs and 16 excellent receptions.

Eli Soyud paced Akari with a team-high 17 points while Trisha Genesis chipped in nine in the losing effort.

Earlier, Petro Gazz booted out Chery Tiggo with a clean 25-21, 28-26, 25-21 sweep behind Grethcel Soltones, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, and Remy Palma.

Soltones finished with 14 laced with nine digs while Maizo-Pontillas and Palma chimed in with 13 and 12 apiece.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News