With their last outing exposing some vulnerabilities, the Creamline Cool Smashers are determined to come back stronger as they continue their unbeaten run in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
Thanks to Bernadeth Pons, whose offensive efficiency and solid floor defense proved crucial in the deciding set, powering the Cool Smashers past the Cignal HD Spikers in a five-set thriller – 25-19, 26-24, 23-25, 23-25, 15-9 – last weekend to remain the only undefeated side in the 12-team preliminaries.
While Creamline’s seven-game streak underscores its consistency, Pons remains committed to improving her game.
"I just want to be consistent. My goal every day in training is to improve, even if it's just by one percent," said Pons in Filipino. The 2024 Reinforced Conference Most Valuable Player took over in Set 5 and finished with 27 points off 24 kills, two aces and a block while coming through with 14 excellent digs.
Given the star-studded lineup, Pons acknowledges the challenge of maintaining top form in the tournament organized by Sports Vision andbacked by Watsons.
"In training, everyone is extremely competitive. It’s tough to score, and no one lets the ball drop easily. That’s why in a game, I won’t just give in easily," she added.
This mentality could spell trouble for the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, who face the Cool Smashers in Thursday’s 4 p.m. matchup.
The Crossovers are reeling from a four-set loss to the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, dropping them to 5-4 – a record they now share with the Akari Chargers at fifth place. Another loss could push them to the lower half of the standings, potentially setting up a tough playoff pairing where the No. 1 team faces No. 12, No. 2 meets No. 11, and so forth.
Coach Norman Miguel will need a solid game plan to counter Creamline’s firepower, possibly drawing insights from the Cool Smashers' struggles in Sets 3 and 4 against the HD Spikers.
The Crossovers must rely on Ara Galang, Cess Robles, Shaya Adorador, Aby Maraño, Seth Rodriguez and Pauline Gaston to generate offense while aiming to contain Creamline’s powerhouse roster of Pons, Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, Bea de Leon, Michele Gumabao, Pangs Panaga and Alyssa Valdez.
Meanwhile, the Cignal HD Spikers (5-3) look to rebound from their loss to the Cool Smashers as they battle Capital1 (1-7) in the 6:30 p.m. main match.
The Solar Spikers, currently tied with Galeries Tower Highrisers at 1-7, are eager to snap their four-game skid and gain momentum heading into the playoffs of the tournament supported by Arena Plus, Fabriano Appliances, Milcu, iColor & Argan Beauty, Tapa King, Sport Radar, and Mikasa.
Games are aired live on Pilipinas Live, RPTV, One Sports, One Sports+, and pvl.ph.
