By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Bernadeth Pons returned to her indoor volleyball form as Creamline Cool Smashers scored a 25-18, 25-16, 24-26, 25-21 victory against Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the PVL All-Filipino Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday night, October 15.

The Negros Occidental’s Talisay City-native had a near triple-double of 22 points, 11 excellent digs and seven excellent receptions as the Cool Smashers kicked off their title defense on a winning note.

Pons admitted during a post-game interview that the Cool Smashers got too complacent in the third set, which the Flying Titans took advantage of to send the match to a fourth set.

“Medyo nag-relax kami noong third set, kaya ni-remind kami ni coach [Sherwin Meneses] na hindi pa tapos ang laro,” Pons said.

“Mabuti na lang at nakabawi kami noong fourth set,” she added.

Likewise, Michele Gumabao shone for the Cool Smashers with 20 markers. Jessica Galanza unleashed an 11-point game, while Jeanette Panaga added nine markers in the victory.

Cherry Ann Rondina finished the game with 21 points, while Caitlyn Viray, Desiree Cheng and Cherry Nunag backed her up with 12, 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the Flying Titans.

Meanwhile, Cignal HD Spikers bucked the absence of veteran players Rachel Anne Daquis and Guimarasnon Jovelyn Gonzaga as it subdued sister PLDT High Speed Hitters, 25-16, 20-25, 25-21, 25-20.

Frances Xinia Molina, who was assigned as the HD Spikers’ team captain, top-scored with 20 points, while rookie Vanessa Gandler and Toni Rose Basas added 12 markers apiece.

“It was a team effort. I can’t do it by myself,” Molina, who also came through with 11 excellent digs, said.

“In the absence of Jovelyn and Rachel, my teammates stepped up and I’m very proud as a team captain,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Nxled Chameleons marked their league debut with a 25-18, 25-14, 25-19 romp over the Quezon City Gerflor Defenders.

Lycha Ebon top-scored with 14 points for the Chameleons./ASC, WDJ