MANILA – Chery Tiggo Crossovers dealt a decisive blow to Creamline Cool Smashers, clinching a 25-18, 26-24, 25-23 victory in the PVL 1st All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
Jennifer Nierva finished with a double-double of 20 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions as the Crossovers snapped a two-game losing streak for a 3-2 win-loss slate.
According to Nierva, their surprising straight-set loss to the Farm Fresh Foxies last week has motivated them to deliver a strong performance against the defending champions.
“Simula nung natalo kami sa Farm Fresh, talagang nag-isip ng game plan ‘yung coaches namin (to beat Creamline), and si ate Aby (Maraño), ginawa niya din ang lahat para mag-gel kami uli as a team,” Nierva said.
“Ang kaibahan lang siguro (sa performance namin against Creamline) is mas nag-enjoy kami habang naglalaro inside the court,” added the former National University Lady Bulldogs libero.
Ejiya Laure led the Crossovers’ assault with 14 points, Czarina Carandang added 12 markers, while Victorinara Galang provided the needed firepower and finished with 10 points.
“Syempre kasi Creamline, sila yung nasa taas, kami ‘yung nasa baba ngayon so sabi ng mga coaches, mas hungry dapat kami na abutin ‘yung taas kasi sila yung champion. Pero nandun talaga ‘yung respect,” said Laure.
Jessica Galanza and Diana Carlos finished with 13 and 12 points, respectively, to lead the way for the Cool Smashers, while Alyssa Valdez finished with five markers in two-set appearance.
With the defeat, the Cool Smashers now hold a 4-1 win-loss record, marking their first defeat since their Game 3 loss to the Kurashiki Ablaze in the 2023 PVL Invitational Conference finals.
This defeat also marks the Cool Smashers’ first straight-set loss since May 26, 2019, when Creamline suffered a 25-22, 26-24, 25-22 defeat to the Petro Gazz Angels in the PVL Reinforced Conference./PN
