Creamline dethrones Petro Gazz, PLDT ousts Chery Tiggo to complete PVL semis cast

Creamline pulled away early in the final set to unseat two-time defending champion Petro Gazz, 25-23, 25-19, 25-18, and advance to the semifinals of 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre. 

The Cool Smashers thus set up a Final Four collision against Cignal while PLDT arranged a duel with top-ranked Akari following a five-set escape over Chery Tiggo earlier in the day. 

Creamline, despite missing its key stars in Jema Galanza, Tots Carlos, and Alyssa Valdez, proved still as deadly after extending a 10-9 lead to a sizable six-point cushion after unleashing a 5-0 rampage midway through the third set. 

But the Angels, who are eager to complete a rare three-peat title run in the import-laced conference, turned to Brooke Van Sickle and veteran Myla Pablo, who both fueled a 6-3 blitz to cut the deficit to three, 15-18. 

Michele Gumabao, though, responded with back-to-back kills from the opposite side for a 21-15 cushion before import Erica Staunton caught the line to send Creamline to the match point at 24-18. 

Setter Kyle Negrito put the finishing kick with a one-two play off an easy over from Wilma Salas. 

In the first game, PLDT roared back from a 2-1 set deficit to complete a 25-23, 25-27, 15-25, 25-18, 15-9 victory over Chery Tiggo behind Russian reinforcement Lena Samoilenko.
 
Samoilenko hammered out 37 points anchored on 32 attacks, three blocks, and two aces alongside 15 receptions while Fiola Ceballos provided the help with 12 markers, eight digs, and 14 receptions. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News