By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Negrense Bernadeth Pons delivered another solid game as the Creamline Cool Smashers scored 21-25, 25-17, 20-25, 26-24, 15-13 victory over the Cignal HD Spikers to clinch the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference crown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday night, September 12.
The Negros Occidental’s Talisay City native Pons recorded another triple-double showing of 27 points, 16 excellent receptions and 13 excellent digs, as the Cool Smashers notched their third championship this season and 10th overall.
Erica Staunton led the Cool Smashers with 29 points, on 26 attacks, two service aces and one block, while Jeanette Panaga and Jessica Galanza ended with 11 markers apiece for the Cool Smashers.
“Coming into this conference, pinanghawakan talaga namin ‘yung matagal na kaming magkakasama. Alam ng bawat isa ‘yung role nila, and ‘yung respeto namin sa isa’t isa talagang nandun,” said finals MVP Kyle Negrito, who tallied 25 excellent sets.
With the score tied at 24-all late in the fourth set, the Cool Smashers took a 25-24 lead following a conversion from Staunton before they wrapped up the set with a Galanza block on HD Spikers’ Toni Rose Basas.
It was a seesaw battle for both teams in the fifth set before the Cool Smashers surged to a 12-9 lead courtesy of Pons, but the HD Spikers leaned on consecutive hits from MJ Perez to cut the deficit to 11-12.
Back-to-back connections from Staunton and Galanza gave the Cool Smashers a 14-11 edge.
The HD Spikers answered with back-to-back hits to trim the deficit to 13-14 before Galanza sealed the championship with an off-the-block hit.
“Thankful lang talaga at na-survive namin itong game na ito. Sobrang sunod sunod ang games, sobrang tight ng schedule, pero na-survive pa din namin to win the championship and get the grand slam,” Pons said.
Perez finished with a PVL career-high of 42 points, including 37 attacks, three service aces and two blocks, while Jackielyn Acuna and Frances Xinia Molina ended with 10 markers apiece for the HD Spikers.
Meanwhile, the Kurashiki Ablaze of Japan salvaged a bronze medal finish with a 25-22, 26-24, 25-20 victory over EST Cola of Thailand.
Low Mei Cing spearheaded the attack for the Ablaze with 14 points./ASC, WDJ