Defending champion Creamline needed to fight off a tough challenge from Farm Fresh to open its title-retention bid.
Still, the Cool Smashers showcased their championship poise, staving off a hard-fighting Foxies in four sets, 34-36, 25-23, 25-22, 25-15, in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Farm Fresh stunned Creamline, escaping the 45-minute extended opener before the Rebisco-backed squad reasserted its might in the next three frames to extend its winning streak to 16 games.
“Actually, yung first set namin hindi maganda yung simula. Pero yun nga yung sinabi ko sa kanila, kailangan maka-recover kami sa mga next sets kasi talagang napag-usapan naman namin yung Farm Fresh, talagang hindi sila basta-basta ngayon,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
The Cool Smashers had the upper hand in the opening set, taking a 24-22 advantage before Caitlyn Viray and a Michelle Gumabao error sent the game to a deuce.
Both teams relentlessly traded hits before Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza committed an attack error and a double violation, respectively, which paved the way for Alyssa Bertolano to unload a booming ace to end the long set and give the 1-0 lead to the Foxies.
Creamline, despite facing resistance from Farm Fresh, leaned on its championship composure in the next two sets before running away in the fourth frame to clinch the victory after two hours and nine minutes of play.
“Naka-prepare sila ng husto especially may mga coaches na tumutulong sa kanila from other countries so talagang magi-improve yung team. Thankful din kami at naka-recover kami sa game na ‘to,” said Meneses.
Carlos top-scored with 19 points built on 17 attacks to lead the reigning champs. Galanza added 15 points on 13 attacks and two aces to go along with 13 excellent receptions and six excellent digs while Jeanette Panaga had 12 points on seven attacks and five blocks.
Alyssa Valdez and Michele Gumabao chipped in nine markers each in the win.
Creamline’s new recruits, Bea De Leon, Denden Lazaro-Revilla, and Dij Rodriguez, all missed the game after failing to get their health clearances in time.
The Cool Smashers will return to action on Thursday, 6:00 p.m. against Akari at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Trisha Tubu led the gutsy Farm Fresh with 19 points while Kate Santiago, who came off the bench, added 11 points.
Foxies newcomers Chinnie Arroyo and Caitlyn Viray had eight and six points, respectively, in their debut.
On the other hand, the Foxies will look to build from this loss when they take on Capital1 also on Thursday at 4:00 p.m.
