Creamline asserted its dominance and dispatched Strong Group via a commanding 25-13, 25-13, 25-19 victory to claim the solo lead in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference elimination round yesterday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Bernadette Pons took over the scoring cudgels in a rare start for the powerhouse Cool Smashers, who needed just 71 minutes to outclass the Athletics and essay the victory.
Pons, a former Far Eastern University star who made an impact in international beach volleyball events, scored 12 points in a two-set stint to spearhead the Cool Smashers to their fourth straight win, their 19th straight overall, including a remarkable 15-game sweep of the Second AFC championship.
Creamline now moved past erstwhile co-leaders Choco Mucho and Cignal in the team standings.
With coach Sherwin Meneses giving his 1-2 scoring punch of Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza limited minutes and his bench players the chance to shine, Pons seized the opportunity, presiding over the team’s attack.
“I am satisfied with the performance of the players. They really worked hard to get this victory. They played well regardless of opponents,” Meneses said.
Pons expressed gratitude for the trust the coaches gave her to start the game, saying: “The trust given to me by the coaches to start the game means a lot.”
“But of course, we have to be ready every day. We have to play hard regardless of the role given to us,” added Pons, who also drew inspiration from her family and teammates while underscoring the team’s commitment not to underestimate their opponents.
Despite the win, Creamline remains focused on learning and improving in every game.
“We were often reminded not to take everything for granted. We should enjoy inside the court and avoid getting complacent,” Pons said.
“We’re learning a lot every game so this win is really big for us.”
Alyssa Valdez, who didn’t play in the first set, backed Pons with nine points while Galanza scored five markers in the first two sets and matched Ella de Jesus’ 11 excellent digs. Carlos added four points in a second set stint.
But Meneses drew five points apiece from Bea de Leon and Floremel Rodriguez while Pau Soriano added four markers and Risa Sato and Michele Gumabao each had two points for the crowd favorites, who dominated in all scoring departments, leading in spikes (44-27), blocks (4-1), and serves (6-1).
While Strong Group put up a strong challenge in the third set, 12-15, Creamline’s four-point blast allowed the Cool Smashers to pull away, 20-13.
Still, Strong Group kept on fighting back, rattling off four points against Creamline’s one to threaten anew at 17-21.
But Pons scored on a push and Valdez hammered in a kill to offset the Athletics service error before Rodriguez delivered the last two points that sandwiched another miscue from the service line by Soriano.
Skipper Dolly Verzosa turned in an eight-point performance while Sheeka Espinosa and Justine Rebleza finished with six markers for the Athletics, who slipped to 0-4.
