CREAMLINE hammered out a clinical three-set 25-21, 25-20, 25-17 victory over PLDT on Tuesday and clinched the first semifinals slot in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference (PVL-AFC) before a huge, appreciative crowd at the Philsports Arena.

Tots Carlos stood tallest for Creamline’s all-important win as she came away with with 18 crucial points, topped by two service aces, 14 receptions, and seven digs.

On the other hand, her teammate Ced Domingo also had a monster performance of 17 points for the Cool Smashers’ win.

Not to be outshone, crowd-pleaser Jema Galanza also had a solid all-around game made u of 11 points, 11 receptions and seven digs even as Jia de Guzman tossed in 20 excellent sets.

Star player Alyssa Valdez is not in the roster but the Cool Smashers were simply overpowering in smashing through their initial goal of reaching the Final Four.

“Siyempre happy kami at nakapasok ulit kami sa semifinals. Ma-improve pa sana yung mga next game namin specially sa semifinals kasi back to zero na yung ano dun e, so thank you at nakapasok kami ulit,” enthused Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses.

Partly, the Cool Smashers were also motivated by their failure of making it to the Reinforced Conference Finals that ended the decorated club’s Grand Slam hopes.

“Yung last year hindi natin masasabi na hindi pabor sa amin. Talagang natalo lang talaga siguro kami, hindi para sa amin yung last conference. Pero syempre wala ng quotient, wins na lang talaga kaya pagbubutihin namin sa semis,” added Meneses.

Meantime, the loss ended the High Speed Hitters’ four-match winning run, but they remain in the top four range.

Mich Morente top-scored for PLDT with 12 points, including four blocks while Mika Reyes added 11 kills.