Creamline Cool Smashers in the PVL Invitational Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Alyssa Valdez had a double celebration as Creamline earned its second win in Pool A on her 30th birthday after sweeping the debuting Gerflor, 25-18, 25-11, 25-12, in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference on Thursday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The three-time league MVP, who just returned from a right knee injury last Tuesday, only played in the first two sets and finished with four points but Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza continued to lead the Cool Smashers to stay unbeaten in two games before going to a 13-day break.
“It’s a total team effort for the coaching staff down to all the players because preparing for these back-to-back games wasn’t easy and it paid off. It’s just the beginning of this conference. Every game counts so for today’s game everyone contributed. Hopefully, it’s a confidence booster going on our next game,” said Valdez in Filipino.
“Most of my birthdays I have a game. It’s always a reminder for me why I’m playing and why I’m here. It’s because of the volleyball fans and the volleyball community and my teammates and all my teams. It’s a great way to celebrate my birthday all the time,” she added.
Alyssa Valdez, who turned 30 on Thursday, in a PVL Invitational hame. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Opposite Spiker Carlos sustained her fine play with a game-high 15 points on an efficient 13-of-19 attacking clip on top of one block and an ace. Galanza chipped in 10 points including two aces, while Ced Domingo added eight points highlighted by a team-high three blocks.
Jia De Guzman dished out 12 excellent sets to go with three aces to finish with five points whle returning indoor player Bernadeth Pons played in the last two sets and finished with four points in her second game with Creamline.
“We had a slow start but I’m glad we were able to recover. All the players contributed. We’re happy because we still got the win,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses in Filipino.
The Cool Smashers dominated the Defenders in the last two sets as they unleashed a 12-3 start in the second set and tallied their biggest in the game, 14 points, 22-8, off a Pons’ block. They pulled away with a 22-9 spread off Domingo’s quick attack before Pons and Panaga closed out the game in an hour and 22 minutes.
No one from Gerflor scored in double figures as Justine Dorog and Andrea Marzan led the way with six points each, while Alyssa Bertolano only scored five markers in her pro debut.
Both Creamline and Gerflor will take a long break. Their next games are on July 13 with the Cool Smashers facing the PLDT High Speed Hitters and the Defenders taking on the Chery Tiggo Crossovers.