By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Creamline Cool Smashers banked on its balanced attack and dealt the Chery Tiggo Pro Crossovers its first loss in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference, 25-23, 20-25, 25-12, 32-30, last November 5, 2022.
Aside from breaking Tiggo’s winning streak, the Cool Smashers gained the league’s solo lead and are the only undefeated team in the import-laced conference.
After an error-filled second set that gave the Crossovers a new lease on life, the Cool Smashers quickly addressed their issues and pounced on the red-hot squad with back-to-back set wins.
Yeliz Basta was a revelation for the Cool Smashers after leading the pink nation with 22 points built from 19 successful attacks alongside 10 excellent digs and two service aces.
Basta’s offensive resurgence in the third set helped Creamline match Chery Tiggo’s spike party that became the sole reason for their lone set win.
Aside from Basta’s offensive output, the Cool Smashers’ improved middle blocking courtesy of Celine Domingo and Jeanette Panaga helped them take full momentum when the third set was about to end.
Jia De Guzman displayed her usual offensive distribution for the team and dished out 23 excellent sets and four points.
“Every game naman pinaghahandaan namin. Either first game, last game, semifinals, same yung preparation namin,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
The Cool Smashers survived an efficient outing from the Crossovers’ import Jelena Cvijovic who led her team with 18 big points including a personal scoring rally in the fourth set that extended Chery Tiggo’s hopes of a deciding fifth set.
Mylene Paat, Chery Tiggo’s top local scorer, was only held to 14 points and had to earn all of her points the hard way against Creamline’s blockers.
The Cool Smashers will have the chance to go up 6-0 today when they square off against the rejuvenated F2 Logistics Cargo Movers.
Meanwhile, the Crossovers will have almost a week of recovery and take on the Petro Gazz Angels on November 12, 2022.
