By Abby Toralba
WITH Diana Mae Carlos leading the way and Allysa Valdez providing the inspiration, Creamline smothered Gerflor 25-18, 25-11, 25-12 yesterday in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at The Arena in San Juan and zeroed in on a semis slot.
Carlos had 15 points as the Cool Smashers improved to 2-0 in Pool A while Valdez, who marked her 30th birthday, had four points in a two-set stint but her presence alone inspired her teammates, who showed no mercy against the Defenders.
Coach Sherwin Meneses used all the players at his disposal, with Jema Galanza tallying 10 markers, Celine Domingo adding eight and setter Jia De Guzman tossing 12 excellent sets.
Last Tuesday, Creamline blanked Chery Tiggo 25-22, 25-22, 25-17.
“Medyo slow start kami pero naka-recover naman kami. Talagang nag-contribute iyong mga players so happy kami sa game na ito at nakuha namin iyong panalo,” said Meneses.
Unlike in their victory over the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, the Cool Smashers encountered little resistance from one of the league’s three newcomers, who lacked the power and chemistry against the league’s most fancied squad boasting of six championships.
“It’s a total team effort,” said Valdez. “We prepared for this and we really worked hard and it paid off.
“But it’s just the beginning of the conference, though every game counts. So, hopefully it’s a confidence-booster for everyone looking forward to our next game,” she added.
Creamline takes a long break before facing PLDT on July 13 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Creamline grabbed the Group A lead and moved within a win of at least clinching the second semifinal slot in the eliminations phase among 11 teams, with two foreign guest squads to spice up the title chase in the next round of the conference Organized by Sports Vision.
Others in Group A are PLDT, Akari and Gerflor, while F2 Logistics, Petro Gazz, Choco Mucho, Cignal, Farm Fresh and Foton make up Group B.
Skipper Justine Dorog and Andrea Marzan paced Gerflor with six points apiece while Alyssa Bertolano contributed five markers.
Creamline produced 45 attack points, 20 more than Gerflor, and the Cool Smashers controlled the net with eight blocks against the latter’s two.
