ILOCOS NORTE -- Creamline pricked whatever bubble BaliPure had created by its two recent tough wins as the Cool Smashers crushed the Water Defenders with their most daunting game, leading to a 25-12, 25-3, 25-15 romp, Wednesday at the PCV Socio-Civic Cultural Center here in Bacarra.
The lopsided win, its fifth straight, didn't only assure Creamline of at least a playoff in the Final Four but also proved its readiness to defend the crown it won in back-to-back fashions in 2019 before the then semi-pro league went into a hiatus due to pandemic and returned this year in a bubble set-up but in a milestone pro status.
The Purest Water Defenders, who stunned the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in five last week and held off the Cignal HD Spikers in four last Wednesday after opening their campaign with a four-set defeat to the Army Lady Troopers, slipped to 2-2.
The Cool Smashers were at their scariest best when they stormed to a 13-2 bulge in the second frame on fiery hits and counterattacks that virtually reduced BaliPure's offense to a token effort. They picked up 11 more points from there and after the Water Defenders sneaked in an inconsequential hit, Jema Galanza finished them off with one of the team's vicious kills.
"Hindi namin inexpect 'to kasi galing sa two-game winning streak yung BaliPure tapos talagang malakas din sila dumepensa," said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses. "Nagprepare lang yung team para makuha yung game ngayon."
The three points in the second set of BaliPure was the lowest total output in a set in league history. The distinction was previously owned by Chef's Classics when it put up just five points against the same Creamline team back on August 18, 2019.
Alyssa Valdez had 16 points on 10 attacks, four aces, and two blocks while Michele Gumabao added 14 markers. Galanza had 10 points as well.
Bombita, one of the top scorers in the league, was held down to just seven points.
