KingWhale Taipei stamped its class with a 25-15, 17-25, 25-22, 24-26, 15-5 win over Creamline last night to set up a winner-take-all title match with the Cool Smashers in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The foreign entry’s victory over the erstwhile undefeated Creamline took place at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
But it took KingWhale more than two hours to dispatch Creamline with Beatriz Flavio de Carvalho leading the way for the guest team with 19 attack, two kill blocks and three aces while Chen Li-Jun shining through as well with 16 of her 17 points coming from the attack zone.
With the win — its third — KingWhale earned the right to face Creamline for the crown, a feat that put a smile on the face of head coach Tung Yen-Min.
“After our game against PLDT, playing in another five-set game felt great because our team work today really kicked in,” he said.
KingWhale’s shock win made its game today a no-bearing match since the finals cast has already been decided.
In the deciding fifth set, KingWhale unleashed a 12-2 windup with Kyle Negrito’s attack error serving as the point that closed out the show.
The bronze medal encounter will feature PLDT and Cignal.
Tots Carlos paced Creamline with 15 points while Michelle Gumabao and team captain Alyssa Valdez both had 11 apiece.
Valdez actually was no longer around in the last two sets after suffering a fall that hurt her left ankle.
Still, Creamline will be the top-rated PVL team that will see action in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Cup for Women starting 21 August.