Creamline’s Erica Staunton during the PVL Reinforced Conference.–PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Creamline extended its winning streak to three in the PVL Reinforced Conference Pool A, overcoming Galeries Tower, 27-25, 26-28, 29-27, 25-19, on Saturday at PhilSports Arena.
The duo of reinforcement Erica Staunton and Bernadeth Pons was too much for the Highrisers. Staunton punched in 29 points built on 25 kills, three blocks and an ace while Pons backed her up with 26 points on 21 attacks, three blocks and a pair of aces.
“I think it feels really good. Obviously, this was a super important game. I don’t think at any point we felt like we had that game in the bag. I think Galeries put up a really good fight,” Staunton said as the Highrisers came into the match ready to put up a gallant fight with their overall defense.
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“Their defense was insane. We’re just trying to stay aggressive and trust our system. Just play clean volleyball because we knew that they weren’t going to make so many errors so we had to make sure that we make minimal errors as well,” she added.
But that wasn’t the case as Creamline committed 30 errors compared to Galeries Towers’ 22.
Michele Gumabao added nine points as Kyle Negrito distributed the ball with 20 excellent sets apart from three points, two coming from aces.
Pons reset her pro scoring record to lead Creamline to its third win in four games. She also had 17 excellent receptions as Kyla Atienza caught 15 excellent digs and 18 excellent receptions.
“I think for me, I just realized that it’s important to stay calm and settle down in between points. Even with the long rallies, I think energy could get up, nerves could get up. Just really making sure that you kind of reset in between each point so you can go into the next one with clear mind and really just focus on things,” Staunton said after overcoming a hiccup in the second frame.
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Galeries Tower made the Cool Smashers work for every single possession starting in the opening frame where Pons executed a combination play before France Ronquillo, who had 13 points for the Highrisers, allowed Creamline to secure the opening set after a net violation.
Lorrie Bernardo, who had five points, and Staunton surrendered attack errors in the second frame to move Galeries to the set point as Ysa Jimenez sneaked in a kill through the block.
At 27-all in the third frame, thanks to the relentless floor defense of Galeries Tower, Pons’ cross-court kill and Negrito’s ace bailed out Creamline before the Highrisers lost steam in the final frame.
Chuewulim Sutadta, Galeries Towers’ Thai import, finished with 23 points and France Ronquillo added 13 points. Alyssa Eroa caused problems for Creamline’s offense after catching 20 excellent digs and 29 excellent receptions.
“No. 1 kasi ‘yung Galeries nakita ko talaga ‘yung sistema as a team, ‘yun ‘yung pinakamahirap talunin talaga. Once nakakasunod ka sa system na pinapagawa sa’yo, napakadaling maglaro. So kami medyo may mga lapses sa system namin so ‘di biro ‘yung Galeries talaga. Napakaganda nung sistema nila sa block, sistema sa defense, talagang medyo binuwenas lang din kami,” coach Sherwin Meneses said.