Creamline Cool Smashers’ Tots Carlos. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Tots Carlos unleashed 24 points as Creamline spoiled Eya Laure’s debut for Chery Tiggo with a 25-22, 25-22, 25-17 victory in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference on Tuesday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The three-time PVL Most Valuable Player returned to her original position as opposite spiker, with Alyssa Valdez seeing action for the first time since December due to a right knee injury, and drilled 21 attacks and three blocks on top of nine digs for their first win in Pool A.
Valdez, who missed seven months of action including their title run in the All-Filipino Conference, only had three points, scoring her first spike in the second set, but she displayed a steady floor defense with 10-of-16 in digs.
“Congrats to our team because we were able to execute our preparation against Chery Tiggo, which had good recruits. We know that Chery is a strong team so we made sure to keep our focus on the game,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses in Filipino.
Creamline Cool Smashers in the PVL Invitational Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Jema Galanza was also instrumental with 12 points and five receptions, as setter Jia De Guzman made 16 excellent sets to spoil Laure’s 14-point rookie debut.
Creamline edged Chery Tiggo in tight encounters in the first two sets but led as many as nine in the third, 21-12, after Ced Domingo’s block before Galanza and Michele Gumabao closed out the game in an hour and 44 minutes.
The Cool Smashers eye their second win against the debuting Gerflor Defenders on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at the same venue.
Laure scored all her points from attacks and had 15 excellent receptions, as Mylene Paat was limited to just nine points on an 8-of-33 attacking clip. Pauline Gaston played as a middle blocker and had six markers.
The Crossovers will take a long break as their next Pool A game is against the Akari Chargers on July 11 at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.