Creamline dominated Cignal in straight sets, 25-16, 25-21, 25-15 for its second consecutive victory in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Michelle Gumabao once again topped the scoring column for the Cool Smashers, unloading 14 points to go along with eight excellent digs to lead Creamline’s balanced offensive attack that also saw Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza finish in double digits.
Galanza and Carlos both had 13 points with seven receptions each in the Rebisco-backed squad’s second consecutive win to open the season.
“Overall naman maganda yung naging galaw namin today. Yung ibang break napunta rin samin lalo na nung second set nung kalagitnaan, medyo nahabol talaga yung Cignal. Naging okay kasi naka-recover yung mga players,” said Cool Smashers head coach Sherwin Meneses.
After bagging the first two sets, Creamline stepped on the gas in the third frame. It led by as much as 12 points, 19-7, after Jia De Guzman sneaked in an ace that completely buried the HD Spikers.
Cignal got close to within eight, 15-23, but Carlos hammered one off the block to put her side at match point. Then Celine Dominga cashed a quick to end the game.
“Pero overall naging maganda yung laro namin. Sana magtuloy-tuloy,” added Meneses.
The HD Spikers – who were coming off a straight-set loss against Chery Tiggo – suffered their second straight sweep to open their All-Filipino Conference campaign.
Molina was the lone bright spot for Cignal with 12 points.
Roselyn Doria was limited to just four points, while Rachel Daquis and Ria Meneses only had three markers each.
Creamline looks to get its third win against sister team Choco Mucho on February 14, Tuesday at 6:30 PM at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. Meanwhile, Cignal will face Akari earlier that day at 4:00 PM.
