Confidence played a key role in Creamline’s 26-28, 25-15, 25-13, 25-16 victory over PetroGazz on Wednesday night to move a win away from advancing in the finals of the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Cool Smashers shrugged off an error-prone opening set by attacking the net to dominate the next three frames and draw the first blood of their best-of-three semifinal series.
Jema Galanza celebrated her 22nd birthday with 24 points including 22 kills while skipper Alyssa Valdez added 18 points.
Despite their significant numbers, Valdez credited veteran setter Jia Morado for her versatility to distribute the ball.
“I think most of the credit goes to her (Morado) because she’s thinking of all the ways for us to score, not just one or two players,” said Valdez, who used to carry most of the load for Ateneo during her collegiate years.
“We don’t have to worry too much about scoring,” Galanza added in Filipino.
Sloppy defense proved to be the Cool Smashers’ problem in the first frame but they were quick to recover in the second and third with 13-8 and 20-9 upperhands.
PetroGazz showed signs of life with a strong start in the fourth headed by Jessey De Leon and Jonah Sabete, but Creamline was too hot to handle on both ends.
Michele Gumabao also contributed 12 points for the Cool Smashers while Risa Sato chipped in nine points.
De Leon and Sabete scored 11 and eight points in losing efforts for the Angels.
Game 2 will be on Saturday at the same venue. (Kristel Satumbaga)
