The Power Smashers recovered from back-to-back losses with a spirited five-set win over crowd favorites Creamline Cool Smashers, 17-25, 25-22, 25-18, 15-10, in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference.
The Power Smashers had to contend not just with the legions of Creamline fans that painted the PhilSports Arena bleachers pink, but also with the less-than conducive temperature in the arena.
After dropping the first set, the young Power Smashers look rejuvenated coming into the second frame, erasing a 22-20 Creamline lead to settle the match at a set a piece. The Power Smashers then bombed the Cool Smashers with serves in the fourth set to come with a set of the win.
Late errors, however, hampered the Power Smashers in the fourth set, allowing Creamline to take seven of the set’s last eight points and force a decider. Creamline’s struggle to receive proved more troublesome than the Power Smashers’ struggle with errors in the fifth set. The Power Smashers opened the final set with a 4-0 lead and never looked back. The Power Smashers gathered four of their 13 aces in the final set to clinch the match.
“Nakinig lang sila, kasi unang-una, ang last game namin first time namin naglaro na may import. So medyo nanibago, hindi masyado mag-connect, hanggang ngayon nga nakita ko hindi pa nag-coconnect ang import at setter,” said Power Smashers head coach Nes Pamilar.
“Medyo siguro ‘yung bago kami mag-start kailangan natin pagtulung-tulungan so kailagan mag-adjust kayo. ‘Yung team work na lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila, nabuo ulit kaya medyo naging maganda ang resulta namin,” the veteran mentor furthered.
Thai imports Hyapa Amporn and Kannika Thipachot led the victors with 17 points each. They settle for an even 4-4 record.
Alyssa Valdez towed Creamline with 17 points, while imports Laura Shaudt and Kuttika Kaewpin each delivered 16 markers. The Cool Smashers are out of contention for an outright semis berth after falling to a 3-5 card.
The Scores
Power Smashers (3) – Amporn 17, Tipachot 17, Prado 10, Pacres 8, Marzan 7, Bicar 3, Arocha 2, Guillema 1, Simborio 0, Galang (L), Gillego (L)
Creamline (2) – Valdez 17, Kaewpin 16, Shaudt 16, Soriano 4, Bravo 3, Galanza 1, Racraquin 1, Remulla 0, Serafica 0, Ibisa (L)
