By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Creamline Cool Smashers made quick work of the Nxled Chameleons, 25-18, 25-17, 25-17, to reach the quarterfinals round of the PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Thursday night, February 27.
Negrense hitter Bernadeth Pons finished with four points in a two-set appearance as the Cool Smashers moved on to the next phase of the playoffs.
Bea de Leon led the way for the Cool Smashers with 12 points, on six attacks, five blocks and a service ace.
Diana Carlos added nine markers, while Kyle Negrito finished with 15 excellent sets to go with four points to be named Player of the Game.
“I think ang naging mindset lang ng team is hindi kami pwedeng magpabaya,” Negrito said after the game.
“I am happy na nakuha namin ang panalo and magpe-prepare lang kami para sa next game namin,” she said.
“This is a very important game, so kailangan naming trabahuhin para hindi kami mahirapan. Hindi lang din kami pwedeng mag-relax [kahit lower seed ang kalaban] kasi anything can happen. Bilog ang bola,” she added.
Chiara May Permentilla finished with 14 points, 18 excellent receptions and six excellent digs for the Chameleons, who are now relegated to the play-in round of the competition.
Meanwhile, the Galeries Tower Highrisers pulled off a massive 25-17, 25-22, 19-25, 25-19 upset against the Cignal HD Spikers to secure their first-ever PVL quarterfinals appearance.
Ysabel Jimenez delivered a team-high of 23 points, built on 22 attacks and one block, to be named Player of the Game, while France Ronquillo and Jewel Encarnacion added 20 and 11 markers, respectively, for the Highrisers.
“Hindi lang naman effort ng iisang tao lang ito. Tulong tulong din kami para makamit itong panalong ito, at ipinakita lang namin kung sino talaga ‘yung team namin,” Jimenez said after the game.
“Worth it lahat ng pagod. Sobrang dami ng pinagdaanan namin,” the former University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses standout said.
“Magwo-work hard lang kami. Hindi kami makukuntento dito [sa quarterfinals lang],” she added./ASC, WDJ