Jema Galanza, BACK IN ACTION na sa Creamline! PVL Invitational Conference 2024

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Creamline, Cignal HD prime up for showdown with impressive wins

The Creamline Cool Smashers celebrate against Kurashiki Ablaze in their 2024 PVL Invitational Conference match, September 8, 2024 at the Mall of Asia Arena. PVL Media

MANILA — Creamline and Cignal HD displayed their readiness for a blockbuster showdown with impressive wins over separate opponents in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The HD Spikers made it back-to-back wins after sweeping Thailand’s young EST Cola squad, 25-23, 27-25, 25-12.

“I’m very happy we pulled off this win. The first two sets were extremely tough, but our mindset was clear – we wanted to get it,” said Cignal HD reinforcement MJ Perez, who led her team with 28 points including five blocks.

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Ces Molina backed her up with 12 markers and Chin Basas, Gel Cayuna, Rosely Doria, Riri Meneses and Jacki Acuña combined for 24 points. Cayuna also shone with 19 excellent sets, outplaying counterpart Kanokporn Sangthong, who had 12 excellent sets.

Warisara Seetaloed topscored for EST Cola with 17 points, while Nattharika Wasan, Tanyaporn Seeso and Natthawan Phatthaisong finished with nine, seven and six markers, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Cool Smashers got a measure of revenge against defending champion Kurashiki Ablaze, 25-22, 25-22, 26-28, 25-21.

It was the first loss for the visitors after winning their first two matches.

Creamline and Cignal HD will face off for the solo lead in the tournament on Monday.

“We had to stay disciplined,” said Michele Gumabao, who had 19 points on 17 kills and two blocks for Creamline.

“Kurashiki has a very good system – they thrive on fast play. They’re not the tallest team, but they work incredibly hard on defense, both at the net and on the floor. That’s something we focused on during the game,” she added.

After Saki Tanabe of Kurashiki tied the count at 14 in the fourth set, the Cool Smashers won the next five rallies to take control of the frame — and the match.

Import Erica Staunton and Bernadeth Pons had 21 and 13 points, respectively, with Pons also putting up 13 excellent digs and 21 receptions. Despite trailing in spiking statistics, 56-63, the Cool Smashers dominated at the net with eight blocks – six more than the Ablaze.

Creamline capitalized on Kurashiki’s shaky reception, scoring nine aces while conceding only three. The Cool Smashers also benefited from the Ablaze’s unforced errors, scoring 21 points off mistakes – seven more than they committed themselves.

Saya Taniguchi, Tanabe and Mami Gonco tallied 14, 13, and 11 points, respectively, while Yukino Yano and Mei Cing Low chipped in nine and seven points for the Ablaze, who will look to rebound against the HD Spikers on Wednesday.

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IN PHOTOS: Creamline Cool Smashers are PVL champs anew

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Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News​

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MANILA — The Creamline Cool Smashers flexed their muscles to earn their ninth Premier Volleyball League crown after defeating the Akari Chargers, Wednesday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

The Cool Smashers swept the Akari Chargers 25-15, 25-23, 25-17, behind glowing performances from Most Valuable Player Bernadeth Pons and import Erica Staunton.

The one-game championship battle saw Akari’s chance at history go down in flames. The Chargers were a flawless 10-0 entering the finals but lost when it mattered the most, having to settle for silver.

FULL STORY: Creamline captures ninth PVL crown at Akari’s expense

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Creamline kicks off Grand Slam campaign with dominant win vs Est Cola

The Creamline Cool Smashers. Photo from PVL Media Bureau

MANILA – Creamline, fresh from winning the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference, flexed its strength against a young Est Cola squad to start its campaign for a Grand Slam.

The Cool Smashers, who are hoping to win their third straight championship, dominated Est Cola, 25-13, 25-12, 25-15, in the Invitational Conference on Friday at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna.

Playmaker Kyle Negrito steered the Creamline offense with 15 excellent sets. Benefiting from that were opposite spiker Michele Gumabao, who tallied 14 points, and double MVP Bernadeth Pons, who listed 10 markers.

Import Erica Staunton, who earlier committed to stay for the Cool Smashers, had eight points.

No player from Est Cola breached twin-digit territory, with Warisara Seetaloed only scoring seven.

Creamline will face its 2023 Invitational rival, Kurashiki Ablaze, on Sunday at the MOA Arena in what promises to be an action-packed volleyball match.

In the finals last year, the Cool Smashers succumbed to the Ablaze, 25-19, 23-25, 19-25, 25-20, 13-15.

On Sunday, Est Cola battles Reinforced Conference bronze medalist Cignal.

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