Creamline Cool Smashers celebrate a point against Farm Fresh Foxies in the PVL Reinforced Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net

MANILA, Philippines–Creamline finally got into the win column of the PVL Reinforced Conference by clawing back from being a set down against the gritty Farm Fresh, 24-26, 25-23, 25-21, 25-16, Saturday night at PhilSports Arena.

Erica Staunton put together 26 points on 23 attacks and three blocks to help the Cool Smashers improve to 1-1 following a five-set defeat to PLDT on Tuesday.

“We are happy because it’s our first victory. Hopefully we continue winning and our momentum rises,” Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses said in Filipino. “We lost some players but our team is still strong so we just needed this first win to somehow get the ball rolling. We’ll work for our next games.”

In the absence of key players such as Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos due to “minor injuries” and Jema Galanza to Alas Pilipinas, Michele Gumabao stepped up into the local leader role and produced 21 points on 19 attacks, a block and an ace.

“We are looking at our team because we have different faces inside. We are also looking how much more can the team do and what else we can improve, especially with the first stringers,” said Meneses, who got the win as a gift for his birthday.

“We wanted to bounce back from our last game, it was an inspiration for us because we just lacked in the endgame and it also showed earlier that everyone had a better energy and better effort from everyone playing,” Gumabao said.

Creamline Cool Smashers’ Michele Gumabao. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Farm Fresh fought tooth-and-nail in the first two sets before losing steam in the last two of the almost two-hour encounter as Yeny Murillo came up with 26 points, all but one coming from attacks.

“Farm Fresh is always prepared … you really can’t count them out because they also have blue chip players so I think that’s what happens whenever there’s a match between Creamline and Farm Fresh,” Meneses said, referring to their previous matchup in the All-Filipino Conference.

“I think everyone, when they’re against Creamline they’re more excited and really focused on defeating us even if it’s just a set, it’s a big boost for their confidence,’ Gumabao added.

Caitlin Viray and Trisha Tubu each contributed 12 points apiece but failed to prevent the Foxies from sliding to two consecutive losses without a win.

“I think I did pretty well. I think I had a lot of things to focus on and improve from Tuesday, one of them just taking smarter shots, hitting higher because like I mentioned the defense here in the volleyball in the Philippines is very scrappy,” Staunton said.

Creamline encountered almost no fightback in the deciding frame, easily manufacturing a 20-8 lead.

The Foxies went to Murillo to try and look for any hope of coming back even as Rizza Cruz read a couple of attacks by Creamline. Pangs Panaga nailed a quick attack to move the Cool Smashers to match point as Staunton capped the match with a kill from back row.

“Coach always reminds us that we are all leaders on and off the court whether you’re playing or not you always have a big contribution to the team so to be ready, whatever is the opportunity in front of me I just need to take advantage,” Gumabao said. “Just really doing my job inside and really trying to contribute in any area that I can.”

Creamline will look to add to its success after a long break when it faces Nxled next on Thursday.