By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Negrense Bernadeth Pons displayed another all-around game as the Creamline Cool Smashers prevailed over sister team Choco Mucho Flying Titans, 25-16, 25-19, 31-29, in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Saturday, August 17.
The Negros Occidental’s Talisay City-native finished with 12 points, 13 excellent digs and 14 excellent receptions as the Cool Smashers returned to their winning ways for a 5-2 win-loss slate.
Import Erica Staunton led the Cool Smashers with 19 points, built on 17 attacks and two blocks, to go with seven excellent digs, while Michele Gumabao and Bea de Leon tallied 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Down 14-23 in the third set, the Cool Smashers slowly carved their way back behind Staunton, Pons and Gumabao to complete a 17-6 finishing run and clinch a straight-set romp.
“In the third set, we just looked at each other and realized that we needed to play as a unit,” Staunton said.
“Just one point at a time, I think, just keeping it simple, not just getting too high and not getting too low. Just focusing on the next points and, luckily, we pulled it off,” she said.
“I think I started pretty slow in the first set before I got more going in the second set. All credit goes to them for backing me and just letting me get my flow. I have great teammates,” she added.
Dindin Santiago-Manabat was the lone double-digit scorer for the Flying Titans with 10 points, while Greek import Zoe Faki continued to underperform, ending with just seven markers.
They dropped to a 2-5 record.
Meanwhile, the Petro Gazz Angels recovered from a set down to defeat the PLDT High Speed Hitters, 22-25, 25-19, 23-25, 25-19, 16-14, securing their third consecutive victory to improve to a 4-3 win-loss slate.
Wilma Salas delivered a career-high 40 points, surpassing her previous best of 37 in 2019, while Brooke Van Sickle contributed 32 markers and 10 excellent digs for the Angels.
Salas capped her performance with a decisive backrow attack that broke a 14-all count in the fifth set before Van Sickle converted a powerful final hit to secure the come-from-behind win./ASC, WDJ