Creamline marked its Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference debut with a dominant 25-19, 25-22, 25-16 win over Petro Gazz on Saturday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo in a victory that set the tone for the defending champions' bid for a fifth straight championship.
Despite missing top hitter Tots Carlos, who continues to recover from injury, the Cool Smashers showcased a balanced performance. Jema Galanza and Alyssa Valdez, both returning to action, provided the firepower and leadership, respectively.
Galanza scored 13 points and finished with nine excellent digs and three receptions to claim the Best Player of the Game honors, while Valdez added four points, while also providing inspiration to the delight of majority of the 5,873 fans.
Creamline's improved blocking was pivotal, with Bea de Leon and Lorie Bernardo anchoring a defense that neutralized Petro Gazz’s offensive threats, including Fil-American standout Brooke van Sickle, who was limited to 18 points after a 34-point explosion in the Angels’ four-set win over the Choco Mucho Flying Titans last week.
Four crucial blocks late in the third set underscored the Cool Smashers’ dominance in the one-hour, 35-minute showdown of two of the league's heavyweights.
Galanza credited the team’s depth and adaptability, drawing key contributions from the bench.
“We’ve grown through overseas training, which has helped us adjust to new systems and challenges,” said Galanza in Filipino, referencing the team’s pre-season stint in Taiwan.
Petro Gazz, fresh off a victory over the Flying Titans, struggled to find its rhythm. The Angels’ rally in the third set briefly gave them a 13-11 edge, but the Cool Smashers responded with a decisive 5-0 run to regain control.
Creamline's dominance at the net was evident, as they recorded an impressive 12 blocks compared to Petro Gazz's mere two. The Cool Smashers also capitalized on their opponents' mistakes, scoring 20 points off unforced errors while conceding only 15 in return.
