PVL: Creamline makes quick work of Gerflor for 3rd straight win

Creamline Cool Smashers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Creamline shrugged off the loss of another vital offensive cog and cruised to its third straight win, 25-15, 25-12, 25-10, at the expense of Gerflor on Thursday in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Michelle Gumabao, who has been continuously showing up for Creamline, powered the Cool Smashers again with 12 points built around 10 attacks, a block and an ace to extend the Defenders’ losing skid to three in as many games.

“We played as usual, we prepared for the game and checked our lapses from the last game … I am thankful because my players did well today,” coach Sherwin Meneses said after Creamline improved to a 3-0 card and rose to No. 1 in the standings.

Middle blocker Ced Domingo was the latest Cool Smashers to ply her trade overseas following setter Jia de Guzman who is set to debut with Denso Airybees in the Japan V.League next week.

Creamline Cool Smashers’ Michele Gumabao. –PVL PHOTO

The two-time PVL Best Middle Blocker will lend her services to Nakhon Ratchasima’s title defense in the Volleyball Thailand League, joining former Creamline coach Tai Bundit.

“It feels good to see all our hardships in practice. It really starts with our practice, if you’re not consistent in practice you will not see that in the game,” said Gumabao, who was the player of the game. “We just have to show up every single day, every single morning and just try to contribute as much as we can whether it’s through a point or a dig.”

“Teamwork is the most important thing for us and it’s good to see it happening every game.”

But Creamline’s deep bench sufficed for the notable losses in their starters.

The Cool Smashers utilized every player in their roster including rookie setter Bea Bonafe from University of the Philippines and rode a 12-3 run in set three to quickly brush off Gerflor and keep them at the bottom of the standings.

“I am just so happy because I am finally in a team who takes care of me and believes in me,” Bonafe said.

Creamline dominance over Gerflor was too obvious in the stat sheet with the Cool Smashers outperforming the Defenders in every aspect of the game. It had 11 blocks, 30 excellent digs and 12 sets, compared to Gerflor’s one block, 13 excellent digs and three sets.

“The opportunity to be put inside the court is very important to our team because our bench players are also capable of being in the first six. It’s a good problem for us coaches, but we need consistency to deliver well in every game,” the Creamline mentor added.