The Creamline Cool Smashers had to dig deep to avert a disastrous collapse and break their two-game losing streak
Though they leaned heavily on Alyssa Valdez, the Cool Smashers pulled clutch contributions from their other players to put away the Air Force Lady Jet Spikers, 25-21, 28-26, 23-25, 12-25, 15-12, for just their second win of the Premier Volleyball League at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Creamline took the first two sets thanks to late-set scoring from Valdez. Fatigue set in on the three-time MVP at the tailend of the third frame. Without Valdez in front, Creamline’s offense fell silent.
Errors and misreceptions buoyed the Lady Jet Spikers to equalize and force a fifth set. With Valdez nursing an ankle injury, Creamline got late contributions from their bit players, setting up Valdez’s heroics at the end. The former Lady Eagle scored four of Creamline’s last five points to end the near two-hour affair.
“Nahihirapan kami kapag wala si Alyssa sa harapan. Kailangan may mag-step up, buti na lang meron noong dulo,” said Creamline assistant coach Sherwin Meneses.
Valdez wound up with 25 points, while former Adamson University Lady Falcon Pau Soriano added 13. Creamline overcame their own 46 errors with gritty offense.
The Cool Smashers ended a two-game losing streak for a 2-3 record.
Joy Cases led Air Force with 21 points, while Jocemer Tapic added 14.
Air Force succumbed to a 1-5 record.
The Scores
Creamline (3) – Valdez 25, Soriano 13, Racraquin 11, Remulla 10, Bravo 4, Palad 2, Cabanos 1, Patnongon 0, Suyat 0, Ibisa (L)
Air Force (2) – Cases 21, Tapic 14, Yongco 9, Pantino 8, Antipuesto 7, Semana 4, Balmaceda (L)
