Thrown into the spotlight due to the absence of star Alyssa Valdez, the Creamline Cool Smashers answered with a resounding straight-set win over the Power Smashers, 25-22, 25-21, 25-22, to enter the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Without the league’s top scorer in Valdez, the Cool Smashers found reprieve in the excellent playmaking of setter Jia Morado who tossed 62 excellent sets. The former Lady Eagles had three of her spikers score in double-digits with Rose Vargas and Pau Soriano each tallying 15 points. Coleen Bravo added 13 markers.
Morado was pivotal in swinging momentum to Creamline’s side as they trailed early in each set. The Cool Smashers erased a six-point deficit in each of the first two frames.
Creamline then finished the match in a blaze. Behind 20-22 in the third set, the Cool Smashers took advantage of the Power Smashers’ shaky reception. Morado then turned the transition opportunities into Pau Soriano quick hits which constituted all of the Cool Smashers’ last five points.
“Nakita talaga ‘yung resiliency namin kanina. We were down, but we just continued to execute. Important ‘yun na we just stay resilient every time and keep improving without Alyssa,” said Creamline assistant coach Oliver Almadro.
The Cool Smashers top the league with an immaculate 5-0 record. They face the UP Lady Maroons (1-3) on Saturday.
Arellano stars Jovie Prado and Regine Arocha towed the Power Smashers with 15 and 10 points, respectively.
The Power Smashers (1-4) need to win their next match against Air Force (3-1) on Sunday to stay in the hunt for a semis slot.
The Scores
Creamline (3) – Soriano 15, Vargas 15, Bravo 13, Racraquin 7, Mandapat 5, Balse 4, Morado 3, Remulla 1, Suyat 0, Nunag (L)
Power Smahers (0) – Prado 15, Arocha 10, Esguerra 9, Villegas 8, Guillema 2, Tan 2, Eulalio 1, Tan 1, Marzan 0, Sta. Rita 0, Galang (L), Gillego (L)
