Defending champion Creamline bucked a first-set hiccup and turned back a persistent Nxled side, 20-25, 25-13, 25-16, 25-18, to boost its quarterfinal campaign in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Filoil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City on Thursday, Nov. 6.

The Cool Smashers found themselves getting overpowered by the strong start of the Chameleons before finding their usual fiery groove in the next three frames to clinch their second straight victory for a 4-2 mark.

Import Coco Schwan remained a force to reckon with, pacing Creamline with 14 points including 13 attacks, while veteran Michele Gumabao also carried the fight throughout and pumped in 13 points on nine kills.

Gumabao said proper execution played a key role in their match.

“Naka-adjust kami kaagad after nung first set,” said Gumabao. “Shaky yung simula namin, but the composure was there, the instruction was there, and we were able to execute our game plan in the next three sets.”

While Creamline dictated the pace in the last three frames, it was met with stiff resistance particularly late in the fourth.

The Cool Smashers were leaning on a comfortable 22-12 cushion when Paola Martinez ignited the tempo for the Chameleons with five straight points to trim the gap to 22-17.

A costly service error from Janel Maraguinot halted that run, but Martinez refused to give up, nailing another down-the-line spike for 23-18.

However, that proved to the Nxled’s last stand as Schwan retaliated with her own kill, and Martinez’s eager attack went long.

Martinez finished with 18 points, while Chiara Permentilla added 14 points, but their efforts went futile as the Chameleons absorbed their sixth straight defeat in as many outings.