In a tight race at the top of the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference standings, the BanKo Perlas Spikers gained ground on the top seed after vanquishing the Creamline Cool Smashers, 19-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-23, in Cagayan De Oro.
Open hitter Nicole Tiamzon returned to action after missing their last match, topping BanKo with 21 points. Ateneo standout Dzi Gervacio contributed 15 points.
Four-time league MVP Alyssa Valdez provided 24 points for Creamline, while Jema Galanza chipped in 23 hits.
BanKo improved their record to 10-3. They finish the elimination round on November 24 against the Tacloban Fighting Warays (6-7). Creamline dropped to 9-3, with their next match coming against the Petro Gazz Angels (7-5) on Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.