By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Bernadeth Pons reset her career-high as the Creamline Cool Smashers pulled off a tight 27-25, 26-28, 29-27, 25-19 victory over the Galeries Tower Highrisers in the PVL Reinforced Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Saturday night, August 3.

The Negros Occidental’s Talisay City-native finished with 26 points on 21 spikes, three blocks and two aces, eclipsing her previous career-high of 25, which she tallied against the Chery Tiggo Crossovers last July 30.

“Actually, every conference, same lang naman eh. Kasi first six ka or hindi, kailangan mo rin talagang gawin ‘yung role mo. Kung ipasok ka or kahit nasa labas ka man, meron pa rin kanya-kanyang role,” Pons said.

“Sabi nga nila coach, ‘Huwag na naming hanapin ‘yung wala. Kung sino ‘yung nandyan, ‘yan muna.’ So ‘yun,” the former Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws standout added.

American Erica Staunton contributed 29 points on 25 attacks, three blocks and an ace to go with nine digs for Creamline, which remained shorthanded with the absence of Jema Galanza, Alyssa Valdez, Diana Carlos, and Denden Lazaro-Revilla.

After being forced to tight wins in the first and third sets, the Cool Smashers set the tone in the fourth frame behind the tandem of Staunton and Pons en route to their third straight win for a 3-1 record.

“Happy kami na nakuha namin ‘yung panalo against Galeries kahit na hindi ganun kadali. Lahat naman ng team talagang lumalaban,” Cool Smashers head coach Sherwin Meneses said.

Thai Sutadta Chuewulim dropped 23 points and 11 excellent digs, while France Ronquillo chipped in 13 markers for the Highrisers, which remain winless in four matches./ASC, WDJ