BY ABBY TORALBA
SHRUGGING off a third set hiccup, Creamline repulsed PLDT 25-22, 25-18, 26-28, 25-22 yesterday to open its PVL Reinforced Conference title drive on a high at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Ced Domingo fired 17 points off 11 attacks, three blocks and three service aces for the Cool Smashers, while Turkish import Yeliz Basa also had 17 kills.
Team captain Valdez also delivered 17 markers, along with 15 digs and 13 excellent receptions, while open hitter Jema Galanza finished with 13 points.
“Siyempre iyong PLDT talagang sobrang nag-prepare din sila. Maganda iyong scouting nila sa game namin. Naka-adjust sila noong third set tapos iyong breaks of the game sa bandang dulo medyo hindi napunta sa amin,” Cool Smashers coach Sherwin Meneses said.
“Pero hindi naman kami nag-rattle sa fourth set so we kept on playing lang naman palagi,” he added.
The High Speed Hitters, coming off a 17-25, 25-20, 24-26, 25-11, 15-11 decision over the United Auctioneers Inc. Army Lady Troopers last Saturday, fell to 1-1.
Creamline led 24-21 in the opening set before Basa finished the frame with an off the block kill.
The Cool Smashers maintained their solid play and raced to a 22-16 edge after a Basa off-the-block hit. Valdez eventually closed it with a cross court attack.
After a wobbly third set, Domingo carried Creamline to match point 24-21 on a quick hit before following it up with the game-winning point.
PLDT reinforcement Elena Samoilenko scored 24 points, while middle blocker Mika Reyes had 11 kills.
