CREAMLINE, PETRO GAZZ NEAR AFC FINALS REMATCH

Taking care of business in their respective Game One of their semifinals series on Saturday, March 18 at the PhilSports Arena, Creamline and Petro Gazz moved on the cusp of an All-Filipino Conference Finals rematch in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League.

The defending champs Cool Smashers defeated the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers, 26-24, 25-18, 22-25, 25-15, while the Angels turned back the PLDT High Speed Hitters, 22-25, 25-19, 25-21, 25-18.

Tots Carlos poured 22 points, all coming from attacks, to lead the Creamline as it finally defeated F2 for the first time since the latter joined the league.

It was Creamline's first win against F2 Logistics in three matches.

Unable to sweep F2 in the third set, Creamline got off to a strong start in the fourth as it raced to an 8-1 to take control.

The Cool Smashers then doused every uprising that the Cargo Movers were unleashing, with Gumabao and Carlos providing the offense that kept the latter at bay en route to the triumph that inched them closer to a fifth straight Finals appearance.

Kianna Dy notched 13 points and seven digs to pace F2, which played without ace player Myla Pablo who sat out the game as she continued to recover from nagging injuries.

Meanwhile, Jonah Sabete amassed 18 points to lead the Angels, scoring the bulk of her total in the fourth frame where she powered the team to a 24-13 lead with Jovy Prado's attack error sealing the win for Petro Gazz.

Sabete, who notched her total on 14 attacks, three blocks, and one ace, also logged 11 receptions for the Angels who closed in on a second straight AFC finals berth.

Prado paced the High Speed Hitters with 18 points and 11 receptions.

Creamline and Petro Gazz may finish their respective series on Tuesday, March 21 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

2023-03-18T19:48:45Z dg43tfdfdgfd