Gumabao tows Creamline to back-to-back wins

Michele Gumabao's smothering presence proved too much for Cignal to handle as defending champion Creamline collected its second straight win, 25-20, 25-20, 25-16, for a share of the lead in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Saturday at the Batangas City Sports Center.

The veteran opposite spiker picked up from where she left off in the Cool Smashers' opening day win over sister team Choco Mucho as she dropped 20 points to keep the squad on top of the leaderboard tied with Chery Tiggo and Petro Gazz.

Gumabao, who also had 20 in the previous match, hammered 19 attacks and got one kill block for Creamline, which spoiled the return of seasoned HD Spikers winger Jovelyn Gonzaga.

The Cool Smashers engaged Cignal in a tight contest in the first two sets and even had to rally from 8-12 down in the second frame before taking full control of the match.

"I think we had a great game and everyone got to contribute. We didn't expect (the game will end in straight sets) because we know how good Cignal is," Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses said.

"This game is very special because it's played here in Batangas. They even got ahead of us, 3-0, in the first set but we played what we trained and fought point-by-point."

Tots Carlos got 10 points off eight spikes, one kill block and an ace she laced with eight digs and eight excellent receptions while Jeanette Panaga had nine. Jema Galanza only had four markers but was active on floor defense with six excellent receptions.

The HD Spikers saw the return of Gonzaga, who finally got the greenlight from the Philippine Army to play in the season-ending conference, but still failed to make a follow up of its opening day win over PLDT.

Ces Molina scored 17 points with 15 off attacks, Gonzaga and Vanie Gandler, who had five digs and five excellent receptions, finished with six markers each.