By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Creamline bounced back from a second-set stumble and outplayed Petro Gazz, 25-22, 23-25, 25-22, 25-20, to notch its first win Tuesday night in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational at The Arena in San Juan City.
Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza led the team’s onslaught, pumping in 18 and 17 points, respectively, in a rematch of last Conference’s finalists that saw Creamline tower over its rival.
Carlos and Galanza combined for 30 of the team’s 54 attacks, negating the efforts of Myla Pablo and MJ Phillips for the Angels.
Risa Sato also stepped up for the Cool Smashers with 11 points while Jia De Guzman converted 27 of the team’s 31 excellent sets on top of two points.
“We were just trying to find our groove but we’re not worried. The coaches reminded us to go back to the basics because we’re committing unforced errors,” said De Guzman after Creamline gave up 31 points on errors.
The solid plays of Carlos and Galanza more than made up for the not-so impressive showing of skipper Alyssa Valdez who was held to just eight hits in her first official game since her reported breakup with long-time boyfriend and pro cager Kiefer Ravena.
The win was also fitting welcome for Michele Gumabao, who dabbled in politics in the last national elections. She contributed four points.
There were many moments in the first three sets that Petro Gazz appeared to be in control including the first and third frames when it could have taken those sets.
But Morado willed the Cool Smashers back into contest during their vulnerable moments while Carlos and Galanza produced timely hits that helped turn their fortunes around.
When the Cool Smashers finally recovered their bearing, there was no stopping the reigning Open Conference titlists as they encountered little problem in winning the set.
