FLAWLESS CREAMLINE: Cool Smashers sparkle, race

FLAWLESS CREAMLINE: Cool Smashers sparkle, race | Daily Tribune

Games tomorrow:

(Philsports Arena)

4 p.m. — Akari vs Nxled

6:30 p.m. — Choco Mucho vs PLDT

Still unblemished.

Defending champion Creamline showed no signs of rust despite more than a month of layoff after a masterful dismantling of Capital1, 25-19, 25-19, 25-18, for a fifth straight win in the 2024-2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference Tuesday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Former Most Valuable Players Jema Galanza, Tots Carlos and Alyssa Valdez formed the Cool Smashers’ three-headed monster that terrorized the Solar Spikers’ wing defense.

Galanza was all over the stats sheet with 12 points she collected from 10 attacks and two aces while tallying 10 digs and five excellent receptions for Creamline, which picked up from where it left off to preserve its pristine slate.

Carlos got 10 points while skipper Valdez added seven in just two frames of action for the Cool Smashers, who rained down 41 kills and only had 17 errors en route to posting the easy victory.

Creamline barely had any scare, having all the answers to Capital1’s attempt to make the game that lasted only 95 minutes a little interesting.

“Definitely, it’s a huge confidence-booster for all of us because knowing everyone would deliver and step up every single game, in every situation,” Valdez said.

The Solar Spikers absorbed their fifth loss in six starts.

Trisha Genesis debuted with 10 points but was the only Capital1 in double figures with Jorelle Singh and Rovie Instrella combining for just 13 markers.

Meanwhile, Cignal overcame a sudden roster shakeup with a 25-17, 25-20, 25-19, victory over Galeries Tower to get back on the winning track following an end of year setback.

The HD Spikers barely felt the departure of Ces Molina and Riri Meneses following a controversial non-renewal of their contracts in a dominating performance for a 5-1 slate.

Vanie Gandler stepped up with 17 points off 13 kills, three aces and a kill block while contributing on defense with three excellent receptions for Cignal, which recovered from a straight sets loss to Petro Gazz last month.

“I’m really happy with the performance of the team because inside the court you can hear everyone leading in their own ways as in teamwork. And it’s so nice to hear and it’s so fun to play,” Gandler said.

Rose Doria-Aquino, Jacqueline Acuña and Ishie Lalongisip each contributed nine points, while Judith Abil added seven in a well-balanced offensive outing for the HD Spikers.

Dawn Macandili-Catindig, on the other hand, anchored the floor defense with 19 excellent digs, ensuring that Galeries Tower’s attacks were swiftly neutralized.

Super proud because everyone stepped up and we really enjoyed the game. It’s great to see the team’s connection,” the libero said.

Cignal controlled the wire-to-wire match and even surged to a commanding 16-4 lead in the second frame. The Highrisers mounted a nine-point run to close the gap to three, but the HD Spikers quickly brought order back for a 2-0 lead.

The Highrisers showed some fight early in the third set, forcing several deadlocks, including at 13. However, a crucial attack error by Jho Maraguinot shifted the momentum back to Cignal, who closed the match with an 11-6 run.

Ysa Jimenez and Julia Coronel scored eight points each as Galeries Tower slid to a 1-6 slate.