THE Creamline Cool Smashers kept their impeccable record intact after defeating their rival F2 Logistics Cargo Movers in a straight-set victory, in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
While everyone expected a tight match, the Cool Smashers had a different plan in mind as they secured their sixth straight win against the Cargo Movers with a strong 25-19, 25-21, 25-16 performance.
Creamline remained the top-seeded squad with a 6-0 record. While F2 Logistics was coming off back-to-back victories, they fell 4-3 and are now tied with Petro Gazz, which had been defeated by the Cool Smashers.
Tots Carlos’ game-high 15 points led Creamline’s offensive flow, which was aided by Jema Galanza’s 11 points. Bernadeth Pons contributed seven points and seven digs as well.
Kyle Negrito, who had a workmanlike performance, shone after setting up the Cool Smashers’ triumph with 20 great sets and seven markers.
“Inaral naman po namin nang mabuti ‘yung magiging kalaban namin,” said Negrito after the game. “Nag-stick lang din kami talaga sa system namin, ma-execute namin sa game.”
Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses said that the team was not expecting a blowout victory. “Hindi [namin in-expect ‘yung sweep] kasi talagang lahat ng laban namin, kahit nu’ng last conference na three sets, dikitan talaga,” he said.
“Sobrang saya namin kasi ‘yung preparation namin, naging effective ‘yung resulta at maganda dahil nakakuha kami ng panalo – hindi naman dahil sa bagong first six, ‘Yung mga pinasok talaga namin ngayong araw, nagdeliver,” added Meneses.
“Siguro may halong bwenas kami, kaya medyo lumayo ‘yung score. Pero kapag F2, lalaban at lalaban talaga ‘yan. Naging maganda lang talaga ‘yung preparation at resulta namin ngayong araw,” he noted.
Creamline’s tremendous performance overshadowed the fact that their captain, Alyssa Valdez, missed her first conference game.
Coach Meneses clarified that this was due to a coaching decision rather than an injury. He told fans that Valdez was completely healthy, and that the squad was only experimenting with different combinations due to the length of the conference.
Carlos’ and Jema Galanza’s one-two punch proved effective, as were the other rotations they tested.
The Cargo Movers, on the other hand, had a dismal offense as no single player scored in double figures, with Jolina dela Cruz leading with eight points and two blocks.
Majoy Baron and Ara Galang both scored seven points while Ivy Lacsina, one of their main scorers, was held to three. Myla Pablo returned to action after missing the previous two games due to back spasms, but she went scoreless in the two sets she played.
On Thursday, F2 Logistics will look to rebound against the surging Cignal HD Spikers at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan, while the Creamline Cool Smashers will face a difficult test in keeping their record immaculate against the PLDT High Speed Hitters on Saturday.
