PVL 2021 Open Conference Semifinals Game 1: Creamline Cool Smashers defeat Petrogazz Angels , 3-2.

 

The Creamline Cool Smashers shrug off its early jitters as it dominated the last two (2) sets to rally from a 1-2 deficit to a 3-2 win (27-29, 25-23, 16-25, 25-17, 16-14). The smashers now lead the best-of-three series, 1-0.   

Tots Carlos paced the smashers with 23 pts coming from 22 attacks and  a service ace. She shrugged off a jittery first set wherein she committed several unforced errors but she came through when it mattered the most in the last two (2) sets to deliver the crucial blows against the Petro Gazz Angels. For her efforts, she was cited as the player of the game.

Alyssa Valdez contributed 25 points for the defending champion Creamline Cool Smashers while Michelle Gumabao pitched in 13 points of her own. Substitute Jema Galanza played crucial minutes as she dropped 16 points for the Smashers.

Meanwhile, Myla Pablo carried the Petro Gazz Angels with the game-high 26 points, but her team fell short. Backstopping her is Ces Molina who recorded 17 points. Remy Palma and Gretchel Soltones joined the scoring fray with 10 points each.

Game Statistics

Creamline vs Petro Gazz

Semifinals Game 1 of 3

August 08, 2021

Bacarra, Ilocos Norte

Skill	Petro Gazz Angels	Creamline Cool Smashers
Sets won	2	3
Spikes	59 won points 170 attempts (34.71%)	79 won points 195 attempts (40.51%)
Blocks	11 won points 70 attempts	8 won points 75 attempts
Service Aces	3 won points 108 attempts	5 won points 109 attempts
Unforced errors	17	35
Excellent Digs	67 150 attempts	101 162 attempts
Excellent Sets	34 147 attempts	39 164 attempts
Receptions	42 98 attempts	57 102 attempts

As expected, each team played to their strengths. The Creamline Cool Smashers who are the league leading team in terms of spikes blasted the Petro Gazz Angels with 79 spikes against the latter's 59. The Smashers also had higher success rate with 40.51% of their attempts finding its target as compared to the 34.71% success rate.

On the other hand, the Petro Gazz Angels who are the number one team in terms of blocks recorded 11 blocks. However, the Creamline Cool Smashers held their ground in the blocking department as they also posted 8 blocks of their own. 

Creamline outclassed the Angels in the serving, digging, reception, and setting skills. However, they also committed 35 unforced errors which is more than double the 17 errors made by the Angels. Without such turnovers, the Smashers could have won more convincingly. 

The teams will face each other again on Monday (09 August 2021) at 5:00 pm. It is a win-or-go home game for the Petro Gazz Angels who are looking to force a game 3. For the Smashers, they would want to close the game tomorrow so they can rest and prepare for the Finals.