By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Creamline Cool Smashers vented their frustration at the Capital1 Solar Energy Power Spikers with a 25-18, 25-14, 25-15 sweep in the PVL 1st All-Filipino Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday night, March 21.

Diana Carlos spearheaded the offense for the defending champion Cool Smashers, tallying a team-high 14 points built on 12 attacks as they reclaimed first place with a 5-1 record.

Negrense Bernadeth Pons contributed seven points, while team captain Alyssa Valdez, Jessica Galanza and Michele Gumabao each ended up with five points for the Cool Smashers.

Cool Smashers head coach Sherwin Meneses said the straight-set romp over the newcomer Power Spikers was huge for the squad after sustaining a deflating 25-18, 26-24 and 25-23 loss to the Chery Tiggo Crossovers last March 16.

“Syempre, ‘yung win ngayon kahit papaano naka-recover kami sa last loss namin, pero ang importante naman eh, makapaglaro kami ng maayos ‘tsaka ma-improve every game,” Meneses said.

Meanwhile, Mylene Paat showed the way in the endgame as the Crossovers pulled off a 25-21, 18-25, 22-25, 25-19, 15-13 victory over the Petro Gazz Angels to force a deadlock at 4-2.

After being down 10-11 late in the fifth set, the Crossovers got a conversion from Pauline Gaston and three straight conversions from Paat as they reached match point at 14-13.

The Crossovers, which came from a victory against Creamline, managed to complete their come-from-behind win after an attack error by Angels’ Jonah Sabete.

Ejiya Laure led the way for the Crossovers with a double-double of 15 points and 12 excellent digs.

Victorinara Galang added 12 markers, while Paat and Ennajie Laure contributed 12 and 10 markers, respectively.

“Maganda ‘yung naging last two sets namin, kasi nga ‘yung character na gusto namin mangyari, nandun na. Andun na rin ‘yung communication, ‘yung grit hanggang dulo,” Crossovers head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes said./ASC, WDJ