Creamline maintained its immaculate record after halting Chery Tiggo’s six-game winning streak in four sets, 25-22, 24-26, 25-20, 25-16, in the Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference, Tuesday night at the Philsports Arena.
Birthday girl Jema Galanza popped off, putting up an all-around performance of 16 points on 13 attacks, two blocks, and one ace to go along with 18 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions to help the Cool Smashers keep their hold of the top spot with a 9-0 slate.
“Masaya kasi nanalo kami ngayon sa kaarawan ko,” said Galanza, who took the time to greet her fans on the stands moments after her post-game interview.
“Parang yung game na yun, pinakita rin samin na ‘di kami pwedeng mag-relax kasi talagang kaya nilang dumikit samin kung magpapabaya kami,” added the former league MVP, who celebrated her 27th birthday today.
The Cool Smashers bounced back in style and overpowered the Crossovers in the third and fourth sets after a late collapse in the extended second frame.
Ahead by just one point in the fourth set, Creamline went on a 7-1 blast to turn a 15-14 advantage into a 22-14 lead.
Bernadett Pons committed an attack error which stopped the bleeding for Chery Tiggo, but Sato hammered down back-to-back points before Jeanette Panaga ended the game with a running attack.
“Syempre yung teamwork nandyan, talagang almost lahat ng players nagamit din. Yun naman yung importante magtulungan sa game,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
“So thankful kami nakakuha kami ng pang siyam na panalo, magiging mataas yung, magiging maganda yung momentum namin papasok sa semis,” he added.
Tots Carlos scored 16 points as well while Panaga chipped in 10 points. Michele Gumabao and Pons added nine markers each for the Cool Smashers after almost two hours of action.
Kyle Negrito dished out 24 excellent sets to go along with five points.
On the other hand, Mylene Paat led the 8-2 Crossovers with 11 points while Cza Carandang had nine markers. Eya Laure was limited to nine points as well.
Creamline looks to make it 10 in a row against Akari on Thursday, 4:00 p.m. while Chery Tiggo aims to bounce back against the surging Choco Mucho on Saturday, 6:00 p.m. in Iloilo.
