By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The star duo of Alyssa Valdez and Jema Galanza stepped up when the Creamline Cool Smashers needed them the most after leading the franchise to a nerve-wracking 25-22, 28-30, 26-24, 17-25, 15-13 victory over ZUS Coffee in the ongoing Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on December 12, 2024.
After only dropping a single set in their previous three matches, the reigning PVL queens received their hardest test when the Thunderbelles forced them to their first-ever five-set affair in the All-Filipino Conference.
Despite an unusual off-night from the Cool Smashers, the most decorated franchise in the PVL still pulled off the win, thanks to a vintage performance from Valdez and the clutch outing of Galanza during the deciding fifth set.
Valdez sparked the Creamline attack midway through the second set and converted most of her cross-court attacks from setter Kyle Negrito.
Moments after they let the crucial second frame slip away, Valdez turned back the hands of time and consistently put up the points for the Cool Smashers.
When the match reached the fifth and final set, Galanza woke up and scored the two most important points for Creamline.
Down by a point, 11-12, Galanza equalized the match with a crafty spike that touched the fingers of the first blocker from ZUS Coffee.
ZUS Coffee’s Michelle Gamit then committed an uncostly error that put the Cool Smashers back in the driver’s seat, 13-12.
Just when Creamline thought they could execute another quick 1-2 play in the middle of the net area, the Thunderbelles refused to back down and tied the affair at 13-all courtesy of a hit from Glaudine Troncoso.
Savoring the tense moment for Creamline was Galanza once again, as she hammered another off-the-block point that paved the way for the Cool Smashers’ match point.
An anticlimactic moment then doomed the Thunderbelles when Gamit’s running attack went outside, rewarding the Cool Smashers with their fourth consecutive win in the All-Filipino Conference.
Valdez was in the zone against ZUS Coffee, delivering 17 big points built from 16 successful attacks alongside eight excellent receptions and six excellent digs.
Meanwhile, Galanza backstopped Valdez with an all-around outing of 15 markers on 13 successful attacks, 12 excellent digs, and 12 excellent receptions.
Bernadeth Pons also provided key contributions for the Cool Smashers and tallied 17 points derived from 15 successful attacks and 11 excellent receptions.
The Cool Smashers will aim to extend their undefeated winning streak on January 21, 2025, when they square off against the Capital1 Solar Spikers while ZUS Coffee looks to rebound from the loss on January 18, 2025, against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans.
