By NIKOLE JAVIER
Creamline shrugged off an opening set stumble to turn back Chery Tiggo and hack out a 17-25, 25-11, 25-19, 25-21 victory in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League on Saturday, Feb. 25, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The Cool Smashers kept the Crossovers at bay and improved 4-1 in the standings to gain the solo lead.
Jema Galanza delivered huge numbers after finishing with 25 points built on 22 attacks, two aces and a block to help the Cool Smashers bounce back from their five-set loss to the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers last Feb. 18.
Meanwhile, Michele Gumabao and Ced Domingo both contributed 17 and 16 markers, respectively.
Trailing 11-10 in the fourth set, Creamline went on a 5-0 run but was unable to pull away for good after the three consecutive errors that followed.
Now at 17-16, the Cool Smashers unleashed another scoring spree, this time a 5-1 run capped by Galanza’s off-the-block hit.
But it was Gumabao who would come through with back-to-back kills to keep the win on their side and avert an extended showdown.
“Syempre ‘yong Chery naka-prepare talaga para sa amin. Medyo nag-adjust lang kami talaga sa first set. Medyo hindi rin naging maganda iyong service at receive namin. Naapektuhan takaga iyong atake namin. Pero naka-adjust naman agad. said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
EJ Laure led Chery Tiggo with a 15-point outing, while Shaya Adorador and Mylene Paat had 11 and 10, respectively, in the losing effort as it absorbed a 3-2 slate.