GAMES THURSDAY
(PhilSports Arena)
4 p.m. – Choco Mucho vs. PLDT
6:30 p.m. – Akari vs. Galeries
REIGNING titlist Creamline breezed past Chery Tiggo in the opener of their best-of-three quarterfinals battle in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference yesterday, scoring a 25-10, 27-25, 25-21 win at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City to give coach Sherwin Meneses his 100th victory with the team.
Flashing her vintage form, skipper Alyssa Valdez led the charge with a triple-double of 16 points, 13 digs and nine excellent receptions as the Cool Smashers moved within a win of advancing to the semifinals.
Also shining for the four-peat-seeking Creamline were opposite spiker Tots Carlos with 13 markers and 10 digs while middle blockers Bea De Leon and Jeanette Panaga added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
“Syempre quarterfinals ito, wala talagang magpapatalo ng pa-ganun ganung na lang. Ini-expect naman namin talaga na lalaban talaga iyong Chery Tiggo so ready lang kami doon sa situation,” Meneses said.
“Through our experiences in tight matches, we’ve been tested many times, and we’ve learned how to respond,” said Valdez. “But I’d say our chemistry, both on and off the court, makes all the difference. Our trust in each other, especially in crunch time, is something special. Thank you, Lord, we got that second set.”
The Cool Smashers stunned not just the Crossovers but even their loyal fans when they clawed back from an 18-22 deficit in the second frame, forcing an extended set and ultimately pulling off the win.
With Game One in the books, Creamline now shifts focus to Game 2, set this Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, where the Cool Smashers aim to complete a best-of-three quarterfinals sweep.
Valdez remains cautious and focused on the bigger goal, saying: “Getting Game 1 is important because it sets the tone for the series. But the job isn’t done yet. We have to work even harder to prepare for Game 2,” she said.
Meneses downplayed the achievement, crediting his players and the team’s support system instead.
“I’m grateful for my players, who continue to follow our system and communicate for the betterment of the team. Thanks also to the management – winning has always been Creamline’s goal,” said Meneses in Filipino.
Shaya Adorador led Chery Tiggo with 10 points, but the Crossovers sorely missed the usual firepower from Ara Galang, who managed only five points. Cess Robles and Pauline Gaston chipped in seven markers each, while Seth Rodriguez and Jules Samonte added four and three, respectively.
