
Creamline opens year with a bang
DEFENDING champion Creamline opened the New Year with a 25-19, 25-19, 25-18 sweep of Capital1 to remain undefeated in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena yesterday.
Jema Galanza, who entered the match in the second set, paced the Cool Smashers with 12 points, 10 digs and five receptions while Tots Carlos, slowly getting back in form, added 10 points.
Creamline, which completed a rare Grand Slam last year to cement its status as the most decorated PVL club, extended its perfect run to five matches.
Earlier, Cignal erased the stigma of a numbing straight-set defeat and showcased its depth and resilience, trouncing Galeries Tower, 25-17, 25-20, 25-19, to regain its winning ways.
The Cool Smashers remain the team that has been a gold standard in the past years, as coach Sherwin Meneses was able to give all 14 players court time to beat the Solar Spikers in one hour and 35 minutes.
“Happy kami kasi nagiging mas healthy ang team namin, lalo na mahaba ang conference. Talagang kailangan tulong-tulong sa paglalaro,” said Meneses.
Kyle Negrito tossed in 14 excellent sets while Bea de Leon and Lorie Bernardo combined for six of Creamline’s eight blocks.
Vanie Gandler, stepping into a leadership role following the controversial departure of skipper Ces Molina and Riri Meneses after the holiday break, delivered a standout 17-point performance.
Libero Dawn Catindig, who replaced Molina as the team captain, was at her usual best by collecting 19 digs and four receptions.
“We wanted to apply everything we’ve worked on in training,” said Catindig, who downplayed her stellar showing and credited the entire HD Spikers for the victory. “I’m very proud of the team, everyone stepped up.”
The swift one-hour and 31-minute victory served as a redemption following Cignal’s 19-25, 21-25, 18-25 loss to PetroGazz last Dec. 14 that turned out to be Molina and Meneses’ final appearance with the team.
The Angels, who moved up to 5-1, drew nine points apiece from Rose Doria-Aquino and Jackie Acuña. Ishie Lalongisip and Judith Abil, who started in the match, combined for 16 points.
“We’re going to prepare hard for every game,” Catindig promised, assuring fans that the team remains focused despite the roster shakeup during the holiday break.
Trisha Genesis debuted for Capital1 (1-5) with 10 points and five receptions while Jorelle Singh chipped in seven points before sitting out in the third set.
Setter Julia Coronel led the Highrisers (1-6) with eight points, including two blocks and seven digs while Ysa Jimenez also had eight kills.