By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Creamline Cool Smashers continued their strong run in the PVL All-Filipino Conference after a 25-14, 17-25, 25-18, 25-23 victory over the Galeries Tower Highrisers at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan City on Tuesday, March 3.
Negrense Bernadeth Pons produced another solid showing of 15 points, on 10 attacks, three service aces and two blocks, as the Cool Smashers notched their fourth straight win for a 4-1 win-loss slate.
Diana Carlos delivered with a double-double of 19 points and 13 digs to lead the Cool Smashers, while Jessica Galanza and Jeanette Panaga had 12 and 11 markers, respectively.
“I am just happy we won the game. We struggled in the second set. We just recovered in the third set and nakuha namin ‘yung game namin,” Carlos said during her Player of the Game interview.
Creamline came out strong in the opening frame, dominating with sharp attacks and solid floor coverage to cruise to an 11-point win.
Galeries Tower responded in the second set, tightening its defense and capitalizing on Creamline’s errors to even the match.
The Cool Smashers regained control in the third, reestablishing their tempo behind Carlos’ scoring and steady net presence.
Creamline carried that momentum into the fourth set and appeared headed for a comfortable finish with a commanding 16-6 advantage.
But the Highrisers refused to fold as they mounted a late surge, chipping away at the deficit and closing the gap to 23-24, but Panaga unloaded a powerful hit to seal the win for the Cool Smashers.
Jean Asis led the way with 12 points, while Negrense Erika Jin Deloria added 11 markers as the Highrisers dropped to a 2-4 record and marked its second straight setback.
Meanwhile, the Choco Mucho Flying Titans outlasted the Nxled Chameleons in four sets, 27-25, 28-26, 16-25, 25-19, to notch its second straight victory.
Cherry Ann Rondina delivered a standout performance for the Flying Titans, finishing with a double-double of 24 points and 20 excellent receptions to earn Player of the Game honors./ASC, WDJ