By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Creamline made its title-retention campaign felt on Sunday night, Oct. 15, after besting sister team Choco Mucho, 25-18, 25-15, 24-26, 25-21, in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Playing their first match in post-Jia De Guzman era, the Cool Smashers still played with the same fire and passion to share the limelight with fellow opening day winners newcomer Nxled Chameleons and Cignal HD Spikers.
Bernadeth Pons led Creamline with 21 points highlighted by 20 kills, while Michele Gumabao also shone with 20 points built on 18 attacks and two aces.
The Cool Smashers could have closed the match in the third frame after a drop shot from Tots Carlos put them at match points, 24-23.
But back-to-back hits from Des Cheng and Sisi Rondina, as well as a solid block from Cherry Nunag kept the Flying Titans’ bid alive.
Creamline, however, regained its composure in the fourth frame by dictating the pace throughout – big thanks to the balanced ball distribution of setter Kyle Negrito.
Negrito, who is filling the shoes of De Guzman after the latter signed with the Denso Airybees in the Japan V.League, came through with 23 of the team’s 24 excellent sets on top of scoring three points.
Skipper Alyssa Valdez, meanwhile, rarely saw action, coming off the bench in the last two sets and finishing with four points.
The Cool Smashers survived the hot hands of Sisi Rondina, who erupted for 21 points in a futile attempt for the Flying Titans.
