Coming off a tough loss against F2 Logistics, Creamline bounced back and dealt United Auctioneers Inc-Army its 12th consecutive loss, 25-12, 25-18, 23-25, 25-23 in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference, Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Cool Smashers returned to the win column boasting a 6-1 slate after suffering a five-set loss to the Cargo Movers, where they already put up a 2-0 lead to start the game before losing the next three sets, last Tuesday.
Turkish reinforcement Yelo Basa fired 18 points on 16 attacks and two kill blocks while Ced Domingo provided 16 points on 11 attacks, three aces, and two blocks for Creamline.
Jema Galanza put on an all-around effort with 14 points, 23 excellent receptions, and 11 excellent digs while Tots Carlos, who provided the spark in the fourth set, finished with seven markers off the bench.
Jia De Guzman delivered 24 excellent sets to go along with four points – three of which came from the service line – while Kyla Atienza had nine excellent digs and six excellent receptions.
“Talagang this conference ‘di mo masasabi kung anong ilalaro mo kasi malaking bagay yung mga imports, talagang nagco-contribute sila every game lalo na sa opensa. Talagang lahat ng imports ngayon mahirap bantayan,” said Cool Smashers head coach Sherwin Meneses.
“Hopefully, mag-improve pa kami sa mga next games namin,” he added.
Trailing by one point in the fourth frame, 13-14, Jema Galanza fired three points in a 6-0 blast to give Creamline a five-point advantage, 19-14.
The Lady Troopers eventually crawled their way back using a 5-0 rally late in the fourth set which put them ahead by one, 22-21, late in the fourth set. Carlos and Laura Condotta exchanged hits before Domingo hammered a quick which tied the game at 23-all.
Condotta’s attack then sailed out before Galanza nailed the game-winning hit to finish the game.
The Lady Troopers, who lost their last five games in the Invitationals, dropped their seventh straight loss this conference in as many games.
Condotta led UAI-Army with 20 points to go along with 13 excellent digs and seven excellent receptions while Nene Bautista and Jovelyn Gonzaga added 12 and 10, respectively.
Creamline will cap off the elimination round against sister squad Choco Mucho on Thursday, 5:30 PM while UAI-Army looks to end its campaign on a winning note against Petro Gazz on Saturday at 2:30 PM.
