The Creamline Cool Smashers prevented an upset over the Chery Tiggo Crossovers after blowing out a two-set lead of the best-of-three finals of the PVL championship series.

Alyssa Valdez reprised her role as the clutch queen in fifth sets, drilling hard-hitting spikes including the winning point as the Cool Smashers moved on the verge of bagging the country’s first pro volleyball league crown. 

“We’re just really thankful na everything worked for us during the fifth set. Siyempre we really can’t count out Chery Tiggo and alam naman namin ‘yun,” said Valdez shortly after the win. 

“But we’re just really blessed na lahat talaga all in, talaga yung mindset namin is to give our all during the fifth set and nakita naman natin. Hopefully, mabaon namin lahat ng magaganda and maiwan namin lahat ng mistakes namin in today’s game,” the Creamline skipper continued. 

After wasting out a two-set lead, the Crossovers, led by Jaja Santiago and Dindin Santiago-Manabat, were on the verge of doing a reverse sweep that included Santiago-Manabat to open the decider with a powerful hit. 

But as she proved all conference long, the clutch gene Valdez came deep in the fifth set with the help of Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza to kick-start a 6-0 blast for the 6-1 advantage.

Shaya Adorador, Jaja Santiago, and Rachel Austero tried to keep Chery Tiggo alive but Valdez proved to be too much as she nailed an attack for a 13-6 spread followed by an ace from Jia Morado to reach match point.

Chery Tiggo saved a point, but Valdez closed out the match with a powerful hit-off a combination play. 

Though Valdez delivered most of the kills in the late game, Carlos delivered heroics to the squad who ended with 26 points off 22 spikes, her fourth straight game scoring at least 20 markers.

Galanza sustained her strong play with a triple-double of 17 points, 18 excellent digs, and 13 excellent receptions, while star setter Jia Morado displayed 41 excellent sets and seven points with four aces.

Sisters Jaja and Dindin top-scored in the losing effort for the Crossovers with 25 and 19 points, respectively while Shaya Adorador contributed with nine markers, 12 digs, and 11 excellent receptions.

Creamline looks to punch its way in for a complete sweep and take their first-ever pro volleyball championship title today, Thursday at 5:00 PM while Chery Tiggo will try to extend its tournament life.