By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Negrense Bernadeth Pons showcased another triple-double performance as the Creamline Cool Smashers defeated the Cignal HD Spikers, 25-18, 29-27, 17-25, 25-20, in the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Monday night, September 9.
The Negros Occidental’s Talisay City native finished with 15 points, 17 excellent digs and 20 excellent receptions as the Cool Smashers secured their place in the finals with their 3-0 win-loss slate.
Erica Staunton led the way for the Cool Smashers with 27 points, Michele Gumabao added 19 markers, while Kyle Negrito finished with 22 excellent sets to go with seven points.
“Wala rin naman kasing madaling kalaban, every game talagang mahirap, at hindi nila ibibigay ‘yung game ng ganun kadali,” Negrito said during her Player of the Game interview.
“Talagang trinabaho namin, tyinaga namin, nasubok ‘yung pasensya namin, and happy na nakuha namin ‘yung panalo and ‘yung finals seat,” the former Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws playmaker added.
After failing to close out the HD Spikers in the third set, the Cool Smashers were engaged in a tight battle in the fourth frame before they took a 21-17 lead on back-to-back conversions from Pons.
The HD Spikers made their last push at 19-21, but the Cool Smashers responded with back-to-back hits from Staunton to make it a 23-19 lead before they secured the win with errors from Cignal.
MJ Perez came away with 35 points, Frances Molina added 19 markers for the HD Spikers, which dropped to second place in the standings with a 2-1 win-loss slate, tying defending champions Kurashiki Ablaze of Japan.
EST Cola of Thailand kept their podium finish hopes alive after a 22-25, 25-17, 19-25, 25-20, 17-15 victory over the Farm Fresh Foxies.
They improved to a 1-3 win-loss slate, while the Foxies dropped to 0-3.
Warisara Seetaloed delivered a match-high 33 points, including 29 powerful attacks, Natthawan Phatthaisong added 18 points, while Nattharika Wasan finished with 10 markers for EST Cola./ASC, WDJ