Cool Smashers seize early lead
Creamline put up a stellar performance to dispose of a badly-outclassed Cignal side, coming away with a 25-16, 25-21, 25-15 romp for its second straight win in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Center in San Juan City.
The 78-minute victory came on the heels of the Cool Smashers' 25-18, 25-20, 25-22 ripping of arch rival Petro Gazz Angels in last weekend's inaugurals, underscoring their readiness to defend the championship and put in motion a grand slam bid that failed in the Reinforced Conference late last year.
"We're just doing what we've been doing in training – play our best and not rush things up. We also try to correct our mistakes quickly," said Jema Galanza, who delivered 13 kills to spearhead Creamline's fiery assault and clinch the player of the game honors.
Michele Gumabao actually topscored for the team with 14 points while Tots Carlos matched Galanza's output and middles Ced Domingo and Pangs Panaga combined for 16 points.
But the high-flying Galanza provided the highlight plays with her stinging spikes to perk up what had been a lopsided duel.
"I hope to stay consistent and help provide the leadership and more importantly, improve communication (inside the court)," said the former Adamson University stalwart, who also finished with seven excellent receptions.
The Cool Smashers pulled away late in the opening frame, held off Cignal's charge midway in the second then dominated the third with their power plays and quick attacks that the HD Spikers had no answer for.
"Overall, we had a good performance and some breaks went our way, especially in the second set when Cignal tried to catch up. I hope we continue this good performance," Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses said.
Creamline finished with 48 kills, 25 more than the HD Spikers, who produced just one double-digit output courtesy of Ces Molina, who fired 12 points.
