By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Creamline Cool Smashers officially ended the three-peat bid of the Petro Gazz Angels after sweeping them in the quarterfinals of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference, 25-23, 25-19, 25-18, on August 27, 2024, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
Playing without their big guns Jema Galanza, Tots Carlos, and Alyssa Valdez in a match that could help them advance to the semifinal round of the import-laced conference, the Cool Smashers showed their roster depth as Bernadeth Pons and Michele Gumabao led the way for Creamline against the stacked Petro Gazz squad.
Also playing a stellar game for Creamline is their reinforcement Erica Staunton who concluded the huge win with an all-around effort of 19 points built from 16 successful attacks, seven excellent receptions, and three blocks.
In a match where everyone expected it to go down to the wire, the rolling Cool Smashers wrote a different ending and handed Petro Gazz a disappointing sweeping loss, a testament to their true character as long-time champions in the PVL.
After a close win in the first set, the Cool Smashers entered the final two frames carrying the momentum and focused on neutralizing the opposition’s middle-blocking prowess.
That then became their point of attack when the second set kicked off as they targeted the backline more to evade the towering middle blockers of the Angels.
Running out of options after they got caught off guard by Creamline’s varied approach, Petro Gazz slowly faded in the match as their unforced errors added to their offensive woes.
Brooke Van Sickle tried to spark a run for Petro Gazz midway through the final set but the 1-2 punch of Pons and Staunton capped off Creamline’s jaw-dropping 3-0 win to complete the PVL semifinal cast.
Pons, the favorite to win this conference’s Best Player individual award, backstopped Staunton with 16 markers and 12 excellent receptions while veteran stabilizer Gumabao chipped in 11 crucial points.
