Bernadeth Pons (center) and the Creamline Cool Smashers rejoice a degree in opposition to Choco Mucho Flying Titans. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.web
MANILA, Philippines — Lacking most of their starters didn’t cease the Creamline Cool Smashers from asserting their mastery of sister workforce Choco Mucho Flying Titans to start out their title protection within the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Convention.
New heroes emerged for Creamline as Bernadeth Pons and Michele Gumabao carried the Cool Smashers to their ninth straight win in opposition to the Flying Titans, with a 25-18, 25-16, 24-26, 25-21 victory, in entrance of 14,014 followers on Sunday at Sensible Araneta Coliseum.
Three-time Most Precious Gamers Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos solely noticed restricted motion for Creamline whereas libero Kyla Atienza sat out on account of damage and center blocker Ced Domingo on account of a tooth extraction.
Kyle Negrito additionally shone in her first begin because the Cool Smashers’ important playmaker this season with 23 wonderful units on prime of three factors together with two aces, filling in for eight-time greatest setter Jia De Guzman, who will play for the Denso Airybees in Japan V.League beginning subsequent week.
“We’re joyful as a result of we received our first recreation. We’re grateful the breaks of the sport went to us,” mentioned Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses in Filipino. “Choco Mucho didn’t hand over however my gamers had been in a position to pull by way of.”
Breakout recreation for Pons
Choco Mucho Flying Titans’ Sisi Rondina. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.web
Pons performed her greatest PVL recreation but, displaying the way in which with 22 factors, 11 digs, and 7 wonderful receptions to get the higher of her longtime Philippine seashore volleyball teammate Sisi Rondina, who led Choco Mucho with 21 factors of their first PVL showdown.
Gumabao delivered 20 factors together with two aces. Jema Galanza had 11 factors and 15 digs, whereas Jeanette Panaga added 9 markers.
“I believe that’s what makes our workforce totally different this convention, it’s very unpredictable. We don’t know who’s going to play as a result of everybody deserves a spot on the workforce,” mentioned Valdez after her teammates took cost. “I believe that’s the great thing about the Cool Smashers, everybody’s actually stepping up, whoever coach decides to play. So, I assume that’s a superb drawback for coach Sherwin and hopefully it turns into a bonus n this convention.”
Valdez, who solely performed restricted motion within the final two units and completed with 4 factors, sparked the Cool Smashers’ draw back within the fourth with a 22-17 unfold capped by Pons’ block on Caitlin Viray.
Rondina and Des Cheng trimmed it all the way down to a three-point deficit, 23-20, however Pons nailed an assault on Rondina to achieve match level, 24-20, earlier than Risa Sato scored the game-winning drop.
Valdez first checked within the third when Creamline 20-17 and scored immediately earlier than Pons tied the set at 23-all and reached match level after Carlos’ kill broke the wall of Choco Mucho, 24-23. Cheng got here to the rescue to pressure a deuce adopted by Rondina and Aduke Ogunsanya’s back-to-back blocks to pressure one other set.
Apart from Rondina, Choco Mucho banked on Viray, who contributed 12 factors and 15 digs. Cheng and Cherry Nunag had 11 and 10 factors, respectively.
Your subscription couldn’t be saved. Please strive once more.
Your subscription has been profitable.
Libero Thang Ponce tallied 23 digs and 17 wonderful receptions just for the Flying Titans to stay winless in opposition to the Cool Smashers since becoming a member of the leeague in 2019.
Coach Sherwin Meneses, Alyssa Valdez, Kyle Negrito, and Bernadeth Pons after Creamline’s huge win over Choco Mucho. #PVL2023
Posted by Inquirer Sports activities on Sunday, October 15, 2023