Swashbuckling PVL debut for Creamline

Creamline played like the all-star squad that it is, whipping hapless PetroGazz, 25-18, 25-16, 25-13, Sunday night to open its campaign on a smashing note in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at Filoil Flying V Centre.

Kuttika Kaewpin of Thailand, a returning import with a sledgehammer of an arm, delivered 17 points, while local superstar Alyssa Valdez added 14 for the Cool Smashers as their massive buildup in the off-season bore early fruit.

Creamline also got nine points from new recruit Michelle Gumabao, who was making a seamless back-and-forth shift from her beauty queen duties to volleyball.

“We really played well. It was a very good job by the team,” said Kaewpin.

The Cool Smashers, it seems, still have a lot more to give in their coming games with heavy hitters Risa Sato and Jem Galanza as well as star setter Jia Morado and popular libero Melissa Gohing yet to play their best.

Still, that was enough to dominate the rookie Angels, who failed to get the expected numbers from imports Kadi Kullerkann and Anastacia Trach, who accounted for just 11 and five points, respectively.

Earlier, PayMaya bested Tacloban, 25-8, 33-31, 25-20, to also jumpstart its bid in the conference.

Tess Rountree unloaded 22 points, while Shelby Sullivan added 15 for the High Flyers, who opened up with a spectacular first set only to see the Fighting Warays drag them to a marathon second frame.

Grethcel Soltones was the best local for PayMaya with nine points, while Jasmine Nabor and Celine Domingo accounted for six apiece.

Jovielyn Prado led the Fighting Warays with 12 points, but Tacloban was doomed by the paltry output of imports Amporn Hyapha and Sasiwimol Sangpan.