KingWhale downs Cignal, completes semis sweep

KingWhale Taipei completed its semifinals run with a clean sweep, after dismantling Cignal HD Spikers four sets, 25-18, 15-25, 25-21,25-22, at the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference held Saturday, 13 August, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

First-time starter Germina Jacobs took the spotlight with 19 points and 16 digs while Brazilian import Beatriz Flavio de Carvalho and Chang Chih-Hsuan combined for 18 markers as KingWhale-Taipei closed the semis with a 4-0 slate.

"The main purpose of today's game is to let the younger players take part. Today's match made a good preparation for tomorrow," KingWhale head coach Teng Yen-Min said.

The winner-take-all finals is now set between KingWhale Taipei and Creamline Cool Smashers' rematch on 14 August at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Taipei on 12 August tarnished Creamline's semis record with a thrilling 25-15, 17-25, 25-22, 24-26, 15-5 action which saw Cool Smashers' Alyssa Valdez exiting late in the third set due to an injury following an awkward landing from a block attempt.

"Actually, I'm monitoring Creamline. They're always on my social media news feed. Each one of them can be a threat, but particularly, I've been monitoring number 18 (Carlos) and number seven (Gumabao)," KingWhale head coach Teng Yen-Min said.

In their first encounter on 12 August, Tots Carlos fired 15 points while Michelle Gumabao scored 11 markers for the Cool Smashers.

Angeli Araneta poured 15 points, while Jerrili Malaban and Roselyn Doria contributed 13 points apiece in a losing effort for the HD Spikers, which will face PLDT Home Fibr on 14 August at 2:30 p.m. for the one-game bronze medal match.