By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Creamline Cool Smashers maintained their unbeaten start in the PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference after scoring a 25-19, 25-19, 25-18 sweep over the Capital1 Solar Energy Power Spikers at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Tuesday night, January 21.

Negrense Bernadeth Pons only played in the first set and finished with two points, but it hardly mattered as the defending champions Cool Smashers stretched their winning streak to five games.

Jessica Galanza top-scored for the Cool Smashers with 12 points, on 10 attacks and two aces, to go along with 10 excellent digs and five excellent receptions, while Diana Carlos made her return from a two-game absence to score 10 points, including eight attacks.

“Of course, we are happy and grateful kasi kahit [nung] wala [kaming mga injured players], nandyan ‘yung teammates and coaches namin na sumusuporta sa amin,” Carlos said in a post-game interview.

Bea de Leon and Alyssa Valdez also came through in the one-hour, 27-minute victory with eight and seven points, respectively, while veteran opposite spiker Michele Gumabao tallied six points off the bench.

“Syempre thankful ako sa mga players, sa dalawang nagbabalik na mga key players namin,” Cool Smashers head coach Sherwin Meneses said, referring to Carlos and Valdez.

“Happy kami kasi nagiging mas healthy ‘yung team namin lalo na mahaba ‘yung conference, talagang kailangan tulong tulong talaga sa paglalaro,” he said.

“Happy ako kasi nakabalik na sila, ‘yun ‘yung number one,” he added.

Trisha Genesis tallied 10 points to go along with five excellent receptions, Jorelle Singh and Rovie Instrella added seven and six markers, respectively, as the Power Spikers dropped to 1-5./ASC, WDJ