By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Creamline Cool Smashers made up for its stunning first set loss and reverse swept the Chery Tiggo Pro Crossovers in the next three, 17-25, 25-11, 25-19, 25-21, in the ongoing Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference last February 25, 2023.
It was an opening set to forget for the Cool Smashers after getting hounded by numerous unforced errors while failing to cover their ground against the duo of EJ Laure and Shaya Adorador.
However, the veteran Creamline squad was quick to adjust in the second set and put more emphasis on their floor defense and middle blocking led by Kyla Atienza.
Atienza was everywhere on the court, digging powerful hits from the Pro Crossovers that sparked their momentum for a convincing second-set win.
After the two-way clinic the Cool Smashers displayed to equalize the match, the momentum suddenly shifted their way in the last two sets.
Jema Galanza once again answered the call for the Cool Smashers after an all-around performance with 25 points built from 23 successful attacks, 13 excellent digs, and 12 successful receptions.
Creamline turned to their offensive juggernaut midway through the third set and punished Chery Tiggo with her clever spikes and well-placed drop balls.
Despite a valiant fightback from the Pro Crossovers in the fourth and final set, the Cool Smashers weathered the storm and scored three crucial hits to handle business and get back in the PVL winning column.
Atienza, who was the unsung hero of Creamline during the win, recorded 20 excellent digs while Michele Gumabao and Ced Domingo chipped in 17 and 16 points, respectively.
With the victory, the Cool Smashers are now tied with the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers as the league’s no. 1 team with identical win-loss records of four wins and a loss.
Creamline will look to make it two wins in a row as they square off with the PLDT High-Speed Hitters on March 7, 2023.
