Using an all-around team effort, the Perlas Spikers survived the singular onslaught of Alyssa Valdez and the Creamline Cool Smashers, 23-25, 25-22, 25-19 25-21, to kick off the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
For much of the match, the Perlas Spikers sat in the driver’s seat. In the opening set, solid defense and serving pushed Perlas to a 15-10 lead. Creamline slowly came back, but Perlas still settled in with a 23-20 cushion. From there, Creamline got a late lifeline from veteran Ivy Remulla, who served her squad all the way to the next five points and the set win.
Perlas rebounded immediately in the following frame, taking an 11-4 to lead before their errors made room for Creamline to come back and tie the set at 15-all. Momentum swung back to Perlas’ favor after Dzi Gervacio, Sue Roces, and Amy Ahomiro pitched in a run that gave their squad a decisive 23-19 advantage. The fourth set was close until Ahomiro broke an 18-all tie with her serving and powered Perlas to an insurmountable 24-18 lead.
Creamline’s errors piled up almost uncontrollably in the fourth set. By the end of the match, they had 46 miscues to Perlas’ 24, spelling their doom.
“We just reminded each others na ‘Guys, kailangan natin ng killer instinct.’ We were up by how many points, and then sa dulo pa kami kinapos,” said Perlas skipper Dzi Gervacio who tallied 17 points.
“Yun lang, medyo nagre-relax, we take for granted yung lamang namin, and we wanted to take advantage ng lamang namin. Just a reminder to ourselves na if we’re gonna do well, do well na all the way, wala ng relax-relax,” the former Ateneo de Manila Universit Lady Eagle admitted.
Fellow Atenean Ahomiro led the squad with 17 markers.
Perlas will face the Air Force Lady Jet Spikers (0-1) on Tuesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Alyssa Valdez’s 25 points went for naught as the next Cool Smasher, Pau Soriano, had just 10 markers.
Creamline will also take on the Air Force on Thursday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
Perlas (3) – Ahomiro 17, Gervacio 13, Bersola 9, Tiamzon 7, Ferrer 3, Acevedo 2, Roces 1, Villanueva 0, De Jesus (L)
Creamline (1) – Valdez 25, Soriano 10, Suyat 9, Racraquin 8, Remulla 7, Cabanos 3, Patnongon 1, Ibisa (L)
