Creamline completes grand slam

MANILA, Philippines — In a cool league of its own.

Creamline pulled off another comeback trick to jam Cignal, complete a tournament sweep and score a historic grand slam in the Premier Volleyball League last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Import Erica Staunton and her teammates showed great resilience and staying power, beating out the HD Spikers, 21-25, 25-17, 20-25, 26-24, 15-13, in a classic five-setter to put the wraps on the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference crown.

It’s the 10th overall title for Creamline and undoubtedly the sweetest ice cream on top in a perfect campaign, completing a slam after earlier victories in the All-Filipino and Reinforced tourneys.

Creamline defeated Choco Mucho in the All-Filipino finals before claiming the scalp of Akari and Cignal for  two titles inside two weeks.

Fulfilling the elusive dream after two foiled tries in the past wasn’t a walk in the park.

But amidst a fiery Cignal storm led by MJ Perez’s 42 points, the tough journey was worth it.

Jema Galanza delivered the championship point, finishing what Staunton and Bernadeth Pons started especially when the Cool Smashers were in need of heroes while staring at a 1-2 deficit, a potential defeat and a possible goodbye to their grand slam hopes.

Staunton fired 29 points on 26 hits as Pons complemented her big time with 27 points on 24 attacks, two aces and a block, joining hands in a killer 3-0 run late in the decider to shrug off the pesky Cignal side.

Jeannette Panaga added 11.