PASSI — Not even a long delay could stop Creamline from snapping its two-game skid and dealing Chery Tiggo its first loss in the 2025 PVL On Tour, 25-21, 19-25, 25-16, 25-18, to remain in the running for an automatic quarterfinals spot in the 2025 PVL On Tour, Saturday at the City of Passi Arena here.
After back-to-back setbacks against Cignal and ZUS Coffee, the fan-favorite Cool Smashers found a much-needed lift from the home crowd — especially during a lull late in the fourth — to close the pool phase with a 3-2 record in Pool B.
Better, yet, they handed head coach Sherwin Meneses a perfect birthday gift in the process.
“Napaka-importante [ng panalo ngayon] kasi nga yung standings, dikit-dikit. Hindi naman sa’min importante kung ‘yung two games namin is natalo. Ang importante, natuto kami kung bakit kami natatalo,” said head coach Sherwin Meneses.
(C) PVL Images
Creamline was ahead 18-16 when Chery Tiggo rookie Renee Peñafiel was called for a net violation while attempting to block Jeanette Panaga. The Crossovers immediately contested the call, requesting a net touch challenge on the former Best Middle Blocker instead.
However, it was found that there was no violation on Panaga, who hit the post outside the antenna after her attack, nor on Peñafiel, whose contact with the net was a result of Panaga’s momentum.
With no infractions on either side and the play resulting in a dead ball, first referee Bobby Celso — who also initiated a referee’s challenge during the 18-minute delay — ultimately called for a replay.
The Cool Smashers quickly regained their composure after the lengthy delay, uncorking a 7-2 finishing run behind team captain Alyssa Valdez to close out the match in style.
“Siyempre yung yesterday’s game, medyo ‘di maganda yung pagkatalo namin pero at least, naka-get kami ng one point na importante rin kasi medyo masikip yung standings. Yun lang, buti nanalo kami ngayon,” added Meneses.
Valdez flaunted her all-around game with a triple-double of 19 points on 16 attacks and three kill blocks to go along with 11 excellent digs and 15 excellent receptions for Creamline.
Michele Gumabao added 17 points, while Panaga had a solid outing with 17 markers as well, with eight points, seven huge blocks, and two service aces in the win. Jema Galanza tallied 13 points and 10 excellent digs.
Kyle Negrito orchestrated the offense with 31 excellent sets to go along with two points.
(C) PVL Images
The Cool Smashers’ win pushed them to 10 points, effectively eliminating the Thunderbelles — now at 2-2 with five points — from contention for a top two finish in the group.
On the other hand, the Crossovers, whose unbeaten run ended after three games, slid to 3-1. They will have to win their next match against ZUS Coffee on July 29 in Candon to clinch the second seed in the group.
Cess Robles, Ara Galang, and Peñafiel all had 11 points in the loss.
