By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Creamline Cool Smashers displayed their championship poise to dethrone the Petro Gazz Angels, 25-23, 25-19, 25-18, in the knockout quarterfinals round of the PVL Reinforced Conference at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City on Tuesday night, August 27.
Negrense Bernadeth Pons continued her stellar play for the Cool Smashers as she finished with 16 points, built on 15 attacks and a service ace, as they secured their place in the semifinals round.
“Hindi pa tapos,” Pons said.
“So magtatrabaho uli kami, pero sobrang saya kasi na-survive namin itong game na ito. Alam namin na hindi [madaling kalaban ang Petro Gazz], pero ginusto naming manalo,” she said.
“Naipanalo namin itong game na ito, pero madami pa rin kaming lapses, madami pa ring errors, so ‘yun ang tatrabahuhin namin sa training tomorrow in preparation for the semis,” the Negros Occidental’s Talisay City-native volleybelle added.
Reinforcement Erica Staunton, who top-scored with 19 markers on 16 attacks and three blocks, said she was glad that she will still be able to play for the Cool Smashers for two more matches.
“I am just so excited. I am just happy to be able to keep playing with my team. I love my team, I love the environment here, and I am just happy that I will extend my stay here a little longer,” Staunton said.
The Cool Smashers, which were playing without stars Alyssa Valdez, Diana Carlos and Jessica Galanza, will next face the Cignal HD Spikers in a knockout semifinals tonight at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Meanwhile, the PLDT High Speed Hitters clawed back from a set down to defeat the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, 25-23, 25-27, 15-25, 25-18, 15-9, and secure their place in the Final 4.
Kim Fajardo displayed her efficient ball distribution as she finished with 23 excellent sets to be named Player of the Game as the High Speed Hitters set up a semifinals match against top-seed Akari Power Chargers.
“Sobrang saya namin na nasa semis na kami,” Fajardo said after the game.
“Sa akin, tiwala lang sa team eh, tiwala sa coaches, tiwala sa teammates, ‘tsaka respeto rin sa kalaban,” she added./ASC, WDJ