CREAMLINE opened its Grand Slam bid with a 25-22, 25-18, 26-28, 25-22 victory over PLDT Home Fibr in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference yesterday at the Philsports Arena.

The Cool Smashers regrouped after the High Speed Hitters stole the third set, with Alyssa Valdez, Ced Domingo and Turkish import Yeliz Basa delivering the goods to earn their first win.

“Siyempre yung PLDT, talagang sobrang nag-prepare din sila. Maganda yung scouting nila sa game namin kaya naka-adjust sila sa third set tapos yung breaks of the game sa bandang dulo, hindi napunta sa amin,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses.

“Pero hindi naman kami nag-rattle sa fourth set so we kept on playing lang naman talaga,” he added.

Basa hammered 17 kills, while Valdez produced a solid all-around outing of 17 points, including two blocks, 13 digs and 13 receptions for the Cool Smashers.

Her confidence level on a sky high after winning the Invitational Conference Finals MVP and an impressive national team debut in two international competitions that Creamline recently competed, Domingo was splendid with team-highs three service aces and three blocks to finish also with 17 points.

“Tinutuloy ko lang talaga kung ano ang nasimulan ko. Nandito na po. I guess papanindigan ko na lang kung ano ang ibinibigay sa akin na responsibility,” said Domingo.

“I’m really happy that everyone is very supportive and yung communication sa loob, nandoon talaga kaya hindi mahirap for me to contribute,” she added.

Jia de Guzman tossed in 32 excellent sets, while libero Kyla Atienza picked up from where she left off in her scintillating showing in international play by collecting 15 digs and 10 receptions.

Elena Samoilenko, who presided the High Speed Hitters’ third set conquest, came through with 22 points, including two blocks, while Mika Reyes chipped in 11 points.

PLDT failed to follow up its conference-opening five-set win over United Auctioneers Inc.-Army to drop to 1-1.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado