By Adrian Stewart Co
Creamline Cool Smashers recovered from a set down to beat Petro Gazz Angels, 24-26, 28-26, 25-22, 25-20, in the 2021 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Open Conference on Tuesday night at the PCV Socio-Civic Cultural Center in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.
Alyssa Valdez completed a triple-double with 16 points, 21 excellent digs, and 18 excellent receptions, while Jeanette Panaga added 15 markers as the Cool Smashers tied Chery Tiggo Crossovers on top with 2-0 slate.
Diana Carlos also made her presence felt with seven points, Julia Morado steered the offense with 35 excellent sets, while Kyla Atienza contributed 30 excellent digs for the Cool Smashers.
After dropping the opening set, the Cool Smashers engaged in a tough battle in the second frame with the score tied at 26-all before Valdez spearheaded her team to tie the set score at 1-1.
Creamline started the third set strong as they were up 8-3 and later 16-10 but Petro Gazz responded with a huge run to snatch the lead momentarily before Carlos came up with consecutive points to take the set for the Cool Smashers.
The Cool Smashers went down by as much as seven points in the fourth set before taking an 18-16 lead after an attack by Carlos. The Angels managed to trim the deficit but errors from them allowed the Creamline to close the match in four sets.
“Siyempre, Petro Gazz ready din sila, [‘yung] recruitment nila maganda sana next time [mas] maganda [‘yung] laruin namin,” said Cool Smashers assistant coach Sherwin Meneses.
Frances Molina finished with 18 points while Mary Remy Palma and Marivic Meneses contributed 17 and 16 points, respectively, as the Angels dropped to an even 1-1 win-loss slate.
In the second game, Mary Jean Balse-Pabayo took charge late in the fourth set as the Black Mamba-Army Lady Troopers cruised to a 25-16, 25-27, 25-21, 26-24 victory over a debuting Bali Pure Water Defenders.
Pabayo finished the match with nine points to back up Honey Royce Tubino, who led the Lady Troopers with 19 points, and Guimarasnon Jovelyn Gonzaga, who had triple-double 13 points, 16 digs and 12 excellent receptions./ASC, WDJ