PVL: Creamline overcomes first set scare to beat Farm Fresh

Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos high five after a point in the Creamline Cool Smashers’ opening win in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Creamline picked up where it left off and opened its title defense in the PVL All-Filipino Conference with a 34-36, 25-23, 25-22, 25-15 victory over Farm Fresh late Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Cool Smashers and the Foxies logged the third highest league set score in the opening frame that lasted 45 minutes as Farm Fresh threatened to break its  opponent’s winning streak dating back to Creamline’s sweep of the previous conference.

But for coach Sherwin Meneses and Tots Carlos, who led Creamline with 19 points on 17 attacks, that stretch hardly matters anymore as they begin their trek back to the All-Filipino throne.

SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024

“[That winning run] is already done. The competition this season will surely be much more competitive, much more challenging,” Carlos said in Filipino.

“It is already back to 0-0 this conference so we’re working on one point at a time now,” Meneses said. “We aren’t 15-0 [anymore], 1-0 so we need to work for it to defend the title this conference.”

The Foxies fought tooth and nail to decrease Creamline’s advantage in the first set, 24-22, before matching the defending champions point by point and eventually taking the lead in the match.

READ: PVL: Creamline welcomes pressure as title favorite anew

But having much more experience than their counterparts, the Cool Smashers collected themselves in the last three frames to contain Farm Fresh and live to extend their league dominance one more day.

Alyssa Valdez started for Creamline and added nine points in her squad’s first outing, while Michele Gumabao had the same total.

Jema Galanza and Jeanette Panaga also had solid contributions, delivering 15 and 12 points, respectively.

“We really expected Farm Fresh to be that defensive team and we still depend on the situation. In the first set they really played well and we haven’t figured out yet how to respond properly,” Carlos said as Creamline figured out how to lessen its errors before facing Akari in its next game.

“On our side, we really need to do the basics much better and to adjust on what is the situation in front of us,” she added.

No Bea, Denden yet

Denden Lazaro and Bea De Leon at the sidelines. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Creamline showed its readiness to maintain its status as the barometer of volleyball in the country even without needing to field in its newest reinforcements Bea de Leon, Denden Lazaro-Revilla and Dij Rodriguez.

Meneses, however, revealed that the trio will be playing in their clash against the Chargers on Thursday once they receive their health clearance from the management.

“The team’s treatment of us is very equal. I am really happy that they are in the team, additional competition. We’re really happy that they’re their to support us,” Carlos added.

Trisha Tubu’s 19 point performance failed to lift the new-look Foxies even as Kate Santiago added 11 points of her own.

And the Foxies have the chance to prove that they are a fierce competitor as they clash with league newcomer Capital1 on Thursday.