MANILA, Philippines – For the 10th time in Premier Volleyball League (PVL) history, the Creamline Cool Smashers are calling themselves champions — and for the first time a Grand Slam winner — after again conquering the Cignal HD Spikers in a five-set Invitational Conference knockout final, 21-25, 25-17, 20-25, 26-24, 15-13, on Thursday, September 12.
Super import Erica Staunton led the thrilling comeback win with 29 points, backstopped by 27 from Reinforced Conference double MVP Bernadeth Pons, who also tallied 16 excellent receptions and 13 excellent digs.
Late-arriving Alas Pilipinas ace Jema Galanza made the most of her finals return with 11 points, tied with star blocker Pangs Panaga.
Eventual league MVP Michele Gumabao took a backseat with 5 points, super libero Kyla Atienza added 19 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions, while eventual Finals MVP Kyle Negrito tossed up 25 excellent sets.
Reinforced Conference Best Import and Invitationals Best Outside Hitter MJ Perez went down swinging in her last Philippine tour of duty for the year with a game-high 42 points.
This marks Cignal’s second silver medal to go with a league-record five bronzes. – Rappler.com