Creamline Cool Smashers’ Bernadeth Pons. –PVL
MANILA, Philippines — Bernadeth Pons rose to the occasion in the rematch of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference finalists Creamline and Petro Gazz.
Pons only started in the fourth and fifth sets but she sparked Creamline’s comeback win, 25-22, 23-25, 25-27, 25-19, 15-13, over Petro Gazz that kept the team unbeaten in five games on Thursday.
From just watching the finals of the first conference when she was still a full-time Philippine women’s beach volleyball team player, the 26-year-old spiker was thrilled to be able to contribute and be part of the Creamline-Petro Gazz rivalry.
“I wanted to win this game because this is my first time facing Petro Gazz. Before I was just watching Creamline and Petro Gazz. Their games were always close. So I wanted to experience how Creamline battles Petro Gazz,” said Pons in Filipino. “As expected Petro Gazz is not an ordinary opponent, they are a veteran team. So my mindset every time coach fields me is ‘I need to contribute and help my team.’”
Creamline Cool Smashers stay undefeated after outlasting Petro Gazz Angels in the PVL. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The Cool Smashers were close to absorbing their first defeat when the Angels took the third set for a 2-1 lead. But Pons conspired with Tots Carlos to fuel the defending champions’ run in the fourth as they pulled away in the decider to keep an unscathed 5-0 record.
“Coach always reminds us to not dwell on our mistakes and just focus on our game. We didn’t look at the score and just focused on our role inside the court,” said Pons after scoring eight points from the bench.
“We worked hard and helped each other. That’s what we needed in the fourth and fifth to get this good result,” she added.
Despite coming off the bench, the do-it-all outside spiker displayed grace under pressure and proved she’s always ready to deliver. She credited her composure to Creamline’s character.
“Coach Sherwin has always been telling us in practice that if we will be lax, we will lose. That’s also a constant reminder from ates Alyssa [Valdez] and Michele Gumabao. That’s the good thing for our team, we’re not complacent,” Pons said. “Our training is always intense and everyone’s competitive. It feels good to experience that environment.”
Pons and the Cool Smashers put their unbeaten run on the line anew against the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers, who are coming off two consecutive wins for a 4-2 record, on Tuesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.