DEFENDING champions Creamline Cool Smashers began the season with a four-set victory over their sister squad Choco Mucho in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
Despite the absence of some key players in Sunday’s game, Creamline defeated Choco Mucho in four sets, 25-18, 25-16, 24-26, 25-21, in front of around 14,000 fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Missing in action for the Cool Smashers were Jia de Guzman, Ced Domingo and Kyla Atienza, while Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos had minimal playing time.
Reserves Bernadeth Pons and Michele Gumabao chipped in with 22 and 20 points respectively, to help the Cool Smashers claim victory.
“Syempre happy kami kasi first game namin, nanalo kami, and thankful din kami kasi ‘yung mga breaks sa huli, napunta sa’min,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses. “Syempre ‘yung Choco hindi rin kami binitawan pero hindi naman nagpabaya ‘yung players ko.”
Now that the Cool Smashers have tested the waters, team captain Alyssa Valdez believes the squad has a “good problem,” as the players are ready to step up regardless of who is playing or not.
“I think that’s what makes our team different this conference. It’s very unpredictable. We don’t know also sinong i-lalaro kasi everyone really deserves a spot in the team, and I think that’s the beauty of the Creamline Cool Smashers now,” said Valdez.
Despite the team’s overall strong performance, Valdez singled out one player: “I’m just really gonna commend Kyle [Negrito] in today’s game. With so much pressure, she really delivered.”
Negrito exceeded expectations as De Guzman’s replacement, tossing down 23 brilliant sets and three points.
Choco Mucho, which also played well, had Sisi Rondina leading the Flying Titans with 21 points on 19 attacks, an ace, and a block, while receiving strong contributions from Caitlyn Viray (12), Des Cheng (11), and Cherry Rose Nunag (10).
Choco Mucho will meet Farm Fresh at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in an attempt to claim their first win. The reigning champions, meanwhile, hope to maintain their unblemished record when they face Cignal HD Spikers at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday in Batangas City.
