By NIKOLE JAVIER
Creamline wasted no time and hacked out a straight-set win over Cignal, 25-16, 25-21, 25-15, in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Thursday, Feb. 9 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The Cool Smashers drew strength from Jema Galanza to avert a total meltdown in the second set and come away with the swift victory.
Michele Gumabao finished with 14 points to help the Cool Smashers improve to 2-0 in the standings while Galanza and Tots Carlos both added 13.
Up by eight in the second set, 21-13, Creamline couldn’t get Cignal off its back as the latter unleashed a 7-2 run midway through the set.
However, Galanza managed to stop the assault with an off-the-block hit before Gumabao followed suit to end the set.
The Cool Smashers quickly surged through the third with a telling double-digit lead of 19-7 capped by Jia Morado's ace which was enough to cushion the rest of the set and eventually arrive for the dominant victory.
"Overall naman maganda 'yong naging galaw namin today. Iyong ibang break napunta rin sa amin gaya nu'ng second set. Kalagitnaan nakahabol talaga 'yong Cignal. Pero naging okay kasi naka-recover 'yong mga players. Pero overall naging maganda sana magtuluy-tuloy," said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
Ces Molina was the lone bright spot for the HD Spikers with 12 points as they absorbed their second straight loss of the season.