Overtime

CREAMLINE KEEPS WINNING STREAK, ROUTS PLDT FOR 4TH STRAIGHT WIN IN PVL

Creamline Cool Smashers made quick work of struggling PLDT to remain unscathed, 25-16, 25-12, 25-13, in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference (PVL) at the PCV Socio-Civic and Cultural Center on Sunday afternoon.

/ 26 July 2021

The reigning open conference champion showed their most dominant showing yet with a three-set win to grab its fourth straight win in the new season of the PVL and extended their winning streak to 24 matches dating back to Aug. 11, 2019.

Meanwhile, the PLDT Power Hitters still remain winless with a 0-4 slate.

The Power Hitters managed to keep close in the first set but after the technical timeout, the Cool Smashers boosted right away and only allowed their opponents to score three points from kills by Valdez and Celine Domingo to gain the set advantage.

Come the second frame, the Creamline rode the momentum starting with its first double-digit lead, 15-5, midway through the second set off a Risa Sato block.

Creamline pulled off a 16-8 advantage to enter in the second technical timeout in the third set and eventually Pau Soriano put Creamline at match-point before Rizza Mandapat bagged the win.

Jia Morado was hailed as the Player of the Game after finishing with 19 excellent sets and 3 points off 2 attacks and an ace. 

Player of the Week runner-up Alyssa Valdez spearheaded the squad with 16 markers, all off attacks, while Jema Galanza shored the defense with 13 excellent digs and 9 excellent receptions.

Ced Domingo, who replaced the injured Jeanette Panaga, drew praise from assistant coach Sherwin Meneses who ended with 6 points. 

“I expected Celine’s contributions, since they all train the same every day. She had a great outing, and hopefully, the bench also continues to contribute well,” Coach Meneses said.

No PLDT player scored double-digit scoring as Molde and Shola Alvarez had seven and five attacks, respectively.

Creamline head coach Tai Bundit, who arrived inside the PVL bubble yesterday afternoon, was only there to spectate the game as he just entered the Laoag bubble on Saturday afternoon.

“Happy happy lang. Yun naman sinabi ni coach Tai. Yun lang naman yung pinaka-importante, maging happy kami sa loob. So yun nga, maganda yung game, medyo lumayo score,” said assistant coach Sherwin Meneses, who still called the shots for the team.

Yung second stringers kailangan din talagang i-break (in). Maganda din naman pinakita nila.”