ANTIPOLO — Creamline kicked off its title-retention quest with a statement straight-set victory over Petro Gazz, 25-19, 25-22, 25-16, in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at the Ynares Center here.
The Cool Smashers (1-0) welcomed team captain Alyssa Valdez with a triumphant victory at the expense of the Angels (1-1), who were coming off a rousing debut against Choco Mucho last Saturday.
Valdez made her return to the Rebisco-backed squad after missing the last two conferences due to a nagging knee injury. She finished with four points off the bench and even played a crucial role in the deciding third frame.
“Super blessed lang kasi siyempre, coming from an injury and iba pa rin kapag kasama ka na sa lineup. Sobrang nahirapan ako, but sabi nga ni coach, it’s a total team effort, so hindi mo talaga mafe-feel na may dinadala ka,” said Valdez.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Creamline trailed midway into the third frame, 11-3, but the defending champions dominated all the way through.
They went on a blistering 14-3 run capped off by three straight points from Lorie Bernardo that fended off Petro Gazz after an hour and 35 minutes of action.
“Syempre sobrang saya kasi ‘yung nangyari is talagang total teamwork ‘yung nangyari. Lahat nag-perform nang maganda, nang maayos. So ‘yun ‘yung naging result, nagkaroon kami ng una naming panalo,” said Cool Smashers head coach Sherwin Meneses.
Jema Galanza top scored for Creamline with 13 points on 10 attacks, two service aces, and one block to go along with nine excellent digs.
Reinforced Conference MVP Bernadeth Pons tallied a triple-double of 10 points, 13 excellent digs, and 13 excellent receptions.
Bea De Leon also played well in the Cool Smashers’ debut, scoring 10 points, six of which came from blocks.
Michele Gumabao and Jeanette Panga each tallied five markers. Meanwhile, Kyle Negrito also had five to go along with 10 excellent sets.
Tots Carlos was not uniform due to an undisclosed injury that kept her out of the last two conferences.
The Cool Smashers will return to action next Saturday in Candon, Ilocos Sur against Akari in a rematch of the 2024 Reinforced Conference finale.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, the Angels were led by reigning MVP Brooke Van Sickle with 18 points on 16 attacks, a block, and an ace laced with 11 excellent digs.
No other player from Petro Gazz breached the double-digit mark with Remy Palma and Aiza Maizo registering five points each.
The Angels look to bounce back versus Farm Fresh also in Candon.
