The Creamline Cool Smashers handed the BanKo Perlas Spikers their first taste of defeat in straight sets, 26-24, 25-13, 25-21, in the PVL Open Conference at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Creamline, the Reinforced Conference champs, trumped their erstwhile unbeaten foes with spectacular outings from their open hitters Alyssa Valdez and Jema Galanza.
The pair helped the Cool Smashers escape a tight first set and dominate the two remaining frames. According to four-time PVL MVP Valdez, winning the first set and getting off to good start was integral to their game plan.
“We were also surprised din na it went in straight sets lang. Siguro maganda rin lang ‘yung gising namin. We just knew na from the first set pa lang, we had to give it our 100 percent,” said Valdez, who tallied a game-high 20 points off 16 attacks, three aces, and a block.
“From the first set, we just continued giving it our best in the next two sets and naging maganda ‘yung resulta. We prepare talaga to have really tough matches against all of our opponents,” she added.
Adamson University standout Jema Galanza added 15 points to go with an efficient 14-for-26 reception rate.
University of the Philippines star Kathy Bersola topped BanKo with 12 points, while Nicole Tiamzon and Sue Roces each managed nine markers.
Creamline (5-1) look to take the top spot in their final first round outing against the Ateneo-Motolite Lady Eagles (5-1) on Sunday at the Baliwag Star Arena. BanKo (5-1) will face Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors (3-2) on Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
Creamline (3) – Valdez 20, Galanza 15, Sato 7, Cayetano 5, Soriano 5, Morado 3, Maninang 0, Atienza (L), Gohing (L)
BanKo (0) – Bersola 12, Roces 9, Tiamzon 9, Gervacio 5, Villanueva 5, Dacoron 4, Ahomiro 1, Emnas 1, Doronal 0, Ferrer 0, De Jesus (L), Tan (L)
