By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Negrense Bernadeth Pons had an impressive outing as the Creamline Cool Smashers easily defeated the Strong Group Athletics (SGA), 25-13, 25-13, 25-19, in the PVL 1st All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Tuesday night, March 12.
The former national beach volleyball mainstay finished with 12 points, built on 10 attacks and two service aces, as the Cool Smashers surged to solo first place with a 4-0 win-loss slate.
Alyssa Valdez delivered nine points in two sets of appearances, while Jessica Galanza, Bea de Leon and Floremel Rodriguez contributed five points each for the Cool Smashers.
Cool Smashers head coach Sherwin Meneses said he was satisfied with the A-game displayed by his squad despite facing a lowly squad in SGA.
“Satisfied naman ako sa galaw ng mga players. Talagang nagtrabaho sila para makuha ‘yung panalo,” Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses said.
“Hindi nila tinignan kung sino ‘yung kalaban. Maganda naman ‘yung nilaro ng team,” he added.
Dolly Versoza finished with eight points along with 11 excellent digs and four excellent receptions, while Sheeka Espinosa and Justine Rebleza chipped in six points apiece as the SGA dropped to 0-4.
Meanwhile, Ivy Lacsina had her best game as the Nxled Chameleons cruised to a 25-21, 25-18, 25-15 straight set triumph over the Galeries Tower Highrisers.
The former F2 Logistics Cargo Movers volleybelle finished with 17 points, all coming from attacks, to go with 11 excellent digs as the Chameleons secured their first victory after three straight defeats.
“Sobrang saya kasi nakaka-boost ng morale ng team ang panalo na ito,” Lacsina said.
“After ng magkakasunod na talo, we hope na dito magsisimula para umangat ang laro namin,” she added.
Lycha Ebon finished with 15 points. Camille Victoria contributed 10 markers while Kamille Cal and Jhoanna Maraguinot added six and four points, respectively, for the Chameleons.
Mary Anne Esguera chipped in six points, while Shola Alvarez and Gracielle Bombita matched five-point outputs for the Highrisers, which suffered their fourth consecutive defeat./ASC, WDJ