KingWhale Taipei overcame a 0-2 hole with a succession of hits from Chang Chih Hsuan and capitalized on the Cool Smashers’ series of errors to fashion out the two hours, five minute triumph. This came after a shaky start in the fifth.

The large crowd that filled the Filoil EcoOil Arena in San Juan on Friday was disappointed as the Taiwanese narrowly defeated the first finalists by scores of 25-15, 17-25, 25-22, 24-26, and 15-5 to set up a matchup with Creamline for the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference championship.

It was the visiting team’s third straight victory, following victories over Army in straight sets and PLDT in five sets. This gave the visiting team a formal shot at the championship while handing the crowd favorite their first loss in four games at the conclusion of the latter’s semifinal run. 

More significantly, it put an end to PLDT (2-2) and Cignal (1-2), both of which, along with the supporters, had hoped for a Creamline victory that would’ve maintained the local teams in the running for the championship.

Chen Li-Jun expresses, “If we do not play our best, Creamline will win,” which was very true. With 17 points, Chen sealed the victory over Chang and Bea de Carvalho by stepping in for them during the decisive stretch.

Coach Sherwin Meneses of the Creamline decided against pushing his luck and opted for different combinations for the rest of the match. Despite this, the team still suffered a blow when top hitter Alyssa Valdez suffered an ankle strain after tripping over De Carvalho’s foot late in the third. 

The Cool Smashers will attempt to win back-to-back championships after winning the Open Conference in April. She staggered as she made her way to the bench and didn’t play the remainder of the game, but she said she was okay. She is anticipated to suit up in the finals.

For Creamline, Michelle Gumabao stepped up and led the team’s comeback after falling behind 1-2 in the fourth. But after winning the first two points of the fifth, the Cool Smashers lost control of the match and frantically tried to stop the Taiwanese comeback. But their efforts were in vain as Chang delivered back-to-back kills and Gumabao’s assault went long, giving KWT the advantage it would never give up. 

In the subsequent play, Chang’s attack error tied it 3-3, but KWT scored four straight points with the help of a few Creamline errors and a Gumabao net violation to give the Taiwanese a commanding 8-3 lead.

Despite Meneses’ strategy to bring in Tots Carlos and Jia de Guzman, who he played in the first four sets but withdrew out in the fifth, back, it was essentially over from that point on. Carlos even smashed a long attack to make it 10-4 for KWT. 

After scoring 14 and 19 points against Army and PLDT, respectively, De Carvalho produced a 24-point performance and attracted strong support from Chang, who despite missing the first set, finished with 14 points. 

While Gumabao generated a conference-best 11 points while coming in and out after each hit in the opening four sets, Carlos continued to lead the way for Creamline with 15 points, the majority of which she provided in the first three sets. 

While Gumabao generated a conference-best 11 points while coming in and out after each hit in the opening four sets, Carlos continued to lead the way for Creamline with 15 points, the majority of which she provided in the first three sets. 

Vargas earned nine points in place of Jema Galanza, who was absent due to an injury to his index finger, while Valdez still scored 11 points in a three-set appearance.

After trading lopsided victories in the first two sets, the Taiwanese emerged unhurt in a crucial third frame that was tarnished by Valdez’s absence. They then defeated the Cool Smashers in a fourth-set battle of extended rallies, only to falter in the face of the latter’s valiant effort. 

After falling behind 19-22, KWT actually fought back with three straight points and preserved one set point with Chang’s through-the-block hit. However, the Taiwanese gave up the following point after four touches, and Rose Vargas, who finished with nine points, finished Pau Soriano’s crucial dig to force a decider.