Choco Mucho Cool Smashers stay unbeaten in the PVL All-Filipino conference. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—An excited Creamline swept Choco Mucho on Valentine’s Day, 25-18, 25-13, 25-14, in the Premiere Volleyball League’s All-Filipino Conference at Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday.
In a day where hearts are celebrated, the Cool Smashers seemingly showed none of it against the Flying Titans to keep their record unblemished at 3-0 and grab a solo lead in the standings.
The reason for Creamline’s tremendous showing was their excitement to face highly-touted Choco Mucho, according to coach Sherwin Meneses.
“At the start, I already reminded them that this is Choco Mucho. This is going to be a good match, let’s not think of the score and let’s just play it point by point. Actually, in the third set, they chased us but it’s good we recovered. The players enjoyed it, they were excited to face Choco Mucho’s complete lineup,” Meneses said in Filipino.
“But now, we’re the incomplete [squad],” he added in jest. The Cool Smashers continued to miss the services of Alyssa Valdez due to injury.
Much like in the earlier sets, the Cool Smashers opened the third with high-voltage 11-3 start before Michelle Gumabao committed a long ball to stop the rally at 11-4.
WATCH: Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses after sweeping Choco Mucho.
The Cool Smashers remain undefeated in the All-Filipino conference. #PVL2023 | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/eGbehAePgC
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 14, 2023
That error became for five straight points for the Flying Titans to creep behind, 11-9, before Tots Carlos called a ceasefire with a crosscourt kill, 12-9.
Choco Mucho, however, was unable to mount any efforts of a comeback, as Cool Smashers zoomed to a 23-14 lead before Ced Domingo scored back-to-back to seal the win.
It was the same story throughout the match with the Flying Titans trailing by as much 23-12 in the second set. Cheng committed a net touch violation to bring the Cool Smashers at set point but Kat Tolentino kept Choco Mucho alive with a back row attack but Risa Sato ended any rally by closing out the set.
The first set served as Creamline’s most challenging frame as the Cool Smashers committed seven unforced errors.
“We made a lot of service errors in the first set, and a lot of miscommunications in the following set. We bumped into each other lots of times because in our minds, we all wanted to keep moving and sometimes we lost communication,” explained Jia De Guzman.
The Cool Smashers, however, still held a sizable lead at 23-17, before Gumabao brought them to set point with a quick attack. Tots Carlos overcooked a potential set-sealing hit but Gumabao quickly shut the door with a kill of her own, 25-18.
Jema Galanza, Domingo and Gumabao all scored 15 points a piece for the undefeated Cool Smashers. Setter de Guzman was also instrumental in the win with 25 excellent sets with two points to match.
Cheng and Kat Tolentino, who only scored eight markers each, were the leading scorers for the Flying Titans, who dropped to a 1-2 record.