By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Creamline Cool Smashers cruised to a commanding 25-10, 27-25, 25-21 victory over the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in Game 1 of the PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Tuesday, March 18.
Negrense Bernadeth Pons finished with six points after playing only in the last two sets as the defending champion Cool Smashers surged to a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.
Alyssa Valdez flirted with a triple-double with 16 points, 13 excellent digs and nine excellent receptions.
Diana Carlos added 16 markers, while Bea de Leon and Jeanette Panaga contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively, for Creamline.
Valdez said in a post-game interview that it was their experience and strong chemistry that allowed the Cool Smashers to claw back from a four-point deficit late in the second set.
“Through our experiences, siguro kaya kami nakabawi [nung second set],” Valdez said.
“Medyo sinubok na rin kami ng panahon, so napakaganda at nakapag-respond lahat ng tao. I would say iba rin ‘yung chemistry namin on and off the court,” she said.
Valdez said Game 1 is setting the tone for the series, but the job is not done yet.
“Nanalo kami ng Game 1 pero we need to work harder and, hopefully, mas makapagtrabaho and makapaghanda kami for Game 2,” she added.
Ilongga Ma. Shaya Adorador was the lone double-digit scorer for the Crossovers with 10 points, while Ilongga Princess Anne Robles and Pauline Gaston contributed seven markers apiece in the loss.
Meanwhile, the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles pulled off a stunning 25-21, 25-23, 27-25 straight-set win over the Petro Gazz Angels to take an early lead in the best-of-three series.
Ilongga Glaudine Troncoso led the way with 14 points, on nine attacks, four blocks and an ace.
Guimarasnon Jovelyn Gonzaga and Thea Gagate added 11 markers apiece, while Chinnie Arroyo and Michelle Gamit contributed 10 each for the Thunderbelles.
Brooke Van Sickle finished with 18 points, built on 16 attacks and two blocks, to lead the Angels, while Myla Pablo contributed 14 markers, including 13 attacks, in the defeat./ASC, WDJ