Creamline asserted its dominance and dispatched Strong Group via a commanding 25-13, 25-13, 25-19 victory to claim the solo lead in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference prelims at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City Tuesday.
Bernadette Pons took over the scoring cudgels in a rare start for the powerhouse Cool Smashers and the former FEU standout responded, scoring 12 points in a two-set stint, as the defending champions needed just 71 minutes to outclass the Athletics and essay the victory.
It was Creamline’s fourth straight win, marking their 19th overall victory, including its remarkable 15-game sweep of last year’s Second AFC championship, steering the Cool Smashers past erstwhile co-leaders the Choco Mucho Flying Titans and the Cignal HD Spikers.
With coach Sherwin Meneses giving his 1-2 scoring punch of Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza limited minutes and his bench players the chance to shine, Pons seized the opportunity, presiding over the team’s attack.
“Satisfied naman ako sa galaw ng mga players ngayon. Talagang nag-trabaho sila para makuha yung panalo. Hindi nila tinignan kung sino yung kalaban nila, yun naman yung importante. Maganda naman yung nilaro ng team,” said Meneses.
Pons expressed gratitude for the trust the coaches placed in her to start the game, saying: “Sobrang laking bagay kasi yun trust na binigay ng mga coaches sa akin para mag-start.”
“Pero siempre, every game naka-ready kami, kahit anong ibigay na pwesto
naka mindset kami lahat,” added Pons, who also drew inspiration from her family and teammates while underscoring the team’s commitment not to underestimate their opponents.
Despite the win, the team remains focused on learning and improving in every game.
“Laging nire-remind sa amin na huwag kaming magpabaya, mag-enjoy lang sa court at wag maging complacent,” said Pons. “Every game marami kaming natututunan, so malaking bagay ‘tong game na ‘to.”
“Syempre step by step muna kami. Yung improvement naman manggagaling sa training eh so dun muna kami naka-focus,” said Meneses. “Yung training namin, mag-improve kami every game, doon lang muna kami naka-focus.”
Alyssa Valdez, who didn’t play in the first set, backed Pons with nine points while Galanza scored five markers in the first two sets and matched Ella de Jesus’ 11 excellent digs. Carlos added four points in a second set stint.
But Meneses drew five points apiece from Bea de Leon and Floremel Rodriguez while Pau Soriano added four markers and Risa Sato and Michele Gumabao each had two points for the crowd favorites, who dominated in all scoring departments, leading 44-27, in spikes), 4-1 in blocks) and 6-1 in serves.
While Strong Group put up a strong challenge in the third set, 12-15, Creamline’s four-point blast allowed the Cool Smashers to pull away, 20-13.
Still, Strong Group kept on fighting back, rattling off four points against Creamline’s one to threaten anew at 17-21.
But Pons scored on a push and Valdez hammered in a kill to offset the former’ service error before Rodriguez delivered the last two points that sandwiched another miscue from the service line by Soriano.
Skipper Dolly Verzosa turned in an eight-point performance while Sheeka Espinosa and Justine Rebleza finished with six markers for the Athletics, who slipped to 0-4.
