Cool Smashers trounce Foxies to seal PVL finals return

Games Tuesday

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4 p.m. - Farm Fresh vs PLDT

6:30 p.m. - Cignal vs Creamline

MANILA, Philippines -- Cracks have been showing in the once indestructible wall of the Creamline dynasty the past few years.

But on Thursday in a do-or-die PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinal showdown, the Cool Smashers have shown they aren't crumbling just yet after trouncing the Farm Fresh Foxies, 25-23, 14-25, 25-23, 25-19, at the Filoil Arena to book a return trip to the finals after a two-year absence.

There, the ice cream franchise will battle Cignal in a best-of-three duel unfurling unfurls Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

It will be a fitting return of the queens to the finals where they will be making their 15th appearance.

The last time Creamline made it that far was in this same conference two years ago before falling to the Petro Gazz Angels via the full, three-game route.

Interestingly, Japanese coach Koji Tsuzurabara, now with Farm Fresh, was the coach of that triumphant Angels side back then.

So this one somehow reeks of revenge.

Pangs Panaga came through when her team needed it most and delivered the goods in the fourth set when Creamline spoiled Farm Fresh’s repeated attempts at stealing the set and forcing a deciding fifth.

“It was a really tough season and we worked hard for this,” said Panaga, who had 13 points, including match-high six blocks, including key ones in the match-sealing fourth frame.

In the finals, Creamline will be looking to reestablish itself as the champion as it shoots for 11 crowns, the most won by any team in the league.

It was a heartbreaking finish for the Foxies, who were hoping to write more historic feats after their breakthrough semis appearance but just couldn’t cash in on their chances.