MANILA – Creamline Cool Smashers captured their second title this year after ruling the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference with a 25-20, 25-20, 25-15 win over Ateneo-Motolite Lady Eagles in Game 2 of the final round at the Batangas City Coliseum.
Alyssa Valdez led the Cool Smashers’ charge on Saturday with triple-double 13 points, 12 digs and 11 excellent receptions, while Michelle Gumabao and Risa Sato added 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Julia Morado was hailed as the Finals MVP after tallying 39 excellent receptions on top of 8 markers for the Cool Smashers.
Earlier this year Creamline ruled the PVL Reinforced Conference.
Valdez, who received her fifth MVP trophy in the league, said they were determined to finish off the Lady Eagles in two matches for a fitting championship sendoff to outgoing head coach Anusorn Bundit.
“We played today to win for coach Tai. He deserved a great exit, he deserved nothing but the best and to always win games, so that’s what we thought before we entered in this match,” said Valdez.
The Cool Smashers did not have a great start in the opening set as they trailed to the Lady Eagles 11-16 before turning things around with conversions from Valdez and Gumabao.
In the second set the Cool Smashers surged to a 14-7 start but the Lady Eagles countered with a decisive run to come to within 16-17. Valdez, Sato and Jessica Galanza then took turns on the offensive end to take a 2-0 set edge.
The Cool Smashers then pounded on the Lady Eagles for good in the third period as they erected a 16-6 advantage on shots from Gumabao and Morado on their way to a straight set triumph.
Best Opposite Spiker awardee Kat Tolentino and Bea de Leon finished with 10 points each while First Best Middle Blocker Madeleine Madayag added seven markers for the Lady Eagles./PN
