By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Creamline Cool Smashers battled back from a set down to eliminate the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, 20-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-22, in Game 2 of the PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City on Saturday night, March 22.

Negrense Bernadeth Pons finished with 18 points, including 17 attacks, to go with 15 excellent receptions as the Cool Smashers wrapped up the best-of-three series at 2-0 to reach the semifinals round.

Bea de Leon tallied 14 points, seven attacks, five blocks, and two service aces to be named Player of the Game, while Diana Carlos also concluded with 14 points, all from attacks.

“Nagtiwala kami sa isa’t isa, and we really worked hard to bring back the good vibes energy inside the court,” De Leon said after the game.

“Nung first set medyo slow kami, and we just trusted the system,” she said.

“We are happy that our hard work has paid off. Araw-araw kaming nagte-training, and we are happy that we are here [in the semifinals],” the former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles star added.

Seth Rodriguez ended up with a season-high of 16 points to lead the Crossovers.

Ilongga Princess Anne Robles added 14 markers, while Victonara Galang ended with 11 points in the loss.

Meanwhile, the Petro Gazz Angels stayed alive in the PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals after a 25-19, 25-13, 28-26 sweep over the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in Game 2.

MarJana Phillips finished with 11 points, consisting of nine attacks and two blocks, earning her the title Player of the Game for the Angels, which tied the best-of-three series at 1-1.

“The last couple of practices, we really came together and talked about what happened in the first game, and we decided to bounce back and come out firing in this game,” Phillips said after the game.

Van Sickle led the way for the Angels with 17 points, including 15 attacks.

Myla Pablo and Negrense Jonah Sabete each added 11 points./ASC, WDJ