Creamline needed every stop to hurdle the gritty Galeries Tower in four sets, 27-25, 26-28, 29-27, 25-19, for its third straight win in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena, Saturday.
American import Erica Staunton propelled the Cool Smashers in this tight contest with 29 points on 25 attacks, three blocks, and an ace to go with nine digs.
Bernadeth Pons also erupted for Creamline with a career-best 26 big points on 21 spikes, three blocks, and two aces, eclipsing her 25 just last game. She also tallied 17 excellent receptions.
Rookie Aleiah Torres also started for Creamline as Denden Revilla was sidelined.
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“Happy kami na nakuha namin kahit na ‘di ganun kadali. Lahat naman ng team talagang lumalaban,” said Cool Smashers head coach Sherwin Meneses.
“Pinaghandaan namin, especially si Aleiah (Torres), first time niya maglaro. May mga opportunity ‘yung mga players na makapaglaro. ‘Yun ‘yung pinaka-importante sa’min,” he added, as Denden Revilla and Mafe Galanza also sat with Torres and Bea Bonafe filling in their spots.
Still not playing for Creamline as well are Tots Carlos and Alyssa Valdez alongside Jema Galanza, who is with Alas Pilipinas in the ongoing Southeast Asia V-League.
Graze Bombita willed the Highrisers in the third set to erase a 23-19 deficit, even forcing a tie at 27.
However, Pons delivered a down-the-line kill before Kyle Negrito served an ace to put the Cool Smashers a set away from the victory.
Then Creamline finally closed out strong in the fourth, breaking away from a 20-18 close lead with a 5-1 finish.
The Cool Smashers rose to 3-1 for solo second in Pool A while leaving the Highrisers winless in four outings.
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Sutadta Chuewulim dropped 23 points and 11 digs in the losing cause. Also adding 13 points was France Ronquillo.
Up next for Creamline is the slumping Nxled on Thursday at 3:00 PM. On the other hand, Galeries looks to avoid ending the first round winless when it faces Chery Tiggo at 5:00 PM.
