MANILA – Creamline Cool Smashers dropped a first set for the first time in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational but still went on to score a 25-19, 24-26, 26-24, 25-19 victory over the Akari Power Chargers at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Jessica Galanza led the way with 16 points, including 13 attacks, while Diana Carlos contributed 14 markers as the Cool Smashers ended their Pool A match with a perfect 4-0 win-loss slate.
Alyssa Valdez slowly made her return from injury as she contributed 12 points, while Celine Domingo and Jeanette Panaga each finished with 11 markers for the defending champions Creamline.
With the score tied at 16-all in the fourth set, the Cool Smashers were able to find an unlikely contributor in Kyle Negrito, who anchored the squad to a decisive 9-3 closing run that wrapped up the two-hour, 20-minute victory.
Negrito wound up with three points while Michele Gumabao also made a strong impact in a limited stint, helping Domingo on the net while connecting a couple of booming spikes that pierced through Akari’s defense.
“Yung last game medyo bumagal pa yung pace ng team, at least na-challenge kami itong game na ito bago kami pumasok ng semis and sana lahat ng pagkakamali namin, hindi lang ngayon pati sa mga past games ay maayos na talaga namin,” Galanza said.
Dindin Santiago Manabat and Faith Nisperos knocked down 18 points apiece and Trisha Genesis and Negrense Christine Joy Soyud added 10 and eight points, respectively, as the Power Chargers dropped to 0-3.
Meanwhile, PLDT High Speed Hitters bucked the absence of veteran Jovielyn Prado as they scored a 25-18, 25-17, 26-24 sweep of the Quezon City Gerflor Defenders and kept their semifinals hopes alive.
Libero Kath Arado was named as the Player of the Game after finishing with double-double 20 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions as the High Speed Hitters improved to 2-1 in Pool A.
Ilongga Fiola Ceballos, who started in place of Arado, contributed 13 markers for PLDT, which will face Chery Tiggo Crossovers for the last semis seat in Pool A on Tuesday evening./PN
