By NIKOLE JAVIER
Creamline shrugged off an opening set mishap to turn back Chery Tiggo, 17-25, 25-11, 25-19, 25-21, and keep its share of the lead in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League on Saturday, Feb. 25, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Making up for a disappointing showing in the team’s 5-set defeat to F2 Logistics on Feb. 18, Jema Galanza came through with a 25-point performance built on 22 attacks, two aces and a block to help steer the Cool Smashers back on the winning track.
The win enabled Creamline to raise its record to 4-1, the same win-loss mark of the F2 Cargo Movers.
Michele Gumabao and Ced Domingo were equally ruthless, contributing 17 and 16 markers, respectively, to hand the Crossovers their second defeat in five outings.
Down by one in the fourth set, 11-10, Creamline went on a 5-0 run to take the driver’s seat although it needed to repel Chery Tiggo’s last-ditch comeback and seal the deal – thanks to the valiant efforts of Galanza and Gumabao.
“Syempre ‘yong Chery naka-prepare talaga para sa amin. Medyo nag-adjust lang kami talaga sa first set. Medyo hindi rin naging maganda iyong service at receive namin. Naapektuhan talaga iyong atake namin. Pero naka-adjust naman agad,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
EJ Laure led Chery Tiggo with a 15-point outing, while Shaya Adorador and Mylene Paat had 11 and 10, respectively.
Meanwhile, Kianna Dy shone brilliantly as F2 Logistics clobbered Cignal, 25-23, 25-20, 25-23.
Dy finished with an impressive 22-point outing built on 21 attacks and an ace while team captain Aby Maraño added 14 points apart from putting a huge defensive performance of seven blocks.
