Creamline Cool Smashers during a game against the Nxled Chameleons in the PVL Reinforced Conference.–PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Creamline has been unstoppable in the PVL Reinforced Conference since an opening blip last month.
The Cool Smashers continued their dominant play on Thursday, capping off their round one schedule with a 25-18, 25-18, 25-20 victory over Nxled at PhilSports Arena.
Creamline banked on the trio of American import Erica Staunton, Bernadeth Pons and Michele Gumabao to blank the Chameleons and improve to 4-1 to clinch the Pool A lead heading into the second round.
“Ang key naman diyan is mag-improve kami every game, every training so ‘yung mga lapses namin nung game one is talagang medyo cino-correct talaga namin,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses, whose squad hasn’t lost since a five-set heartbreak against PLDT on July 17.
“Hopefully mag-improve pa kami hanggang dulo. ‘Yun siguro ‘yung sa pagkatalo namin, maraming lapses,” he added.
READ: PVL: Creamline continues rise as Staunton finds her niche
Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses and Michele Gumabao after beating Nxled. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/cvv7XqrrXy
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) August 8, 2024
Both finishing with 13 points, Staunton focused her strength on attacks while Pons had 11 attacks and a pair of aces. She was also present on the defensive end with 14 excellent digs and eight excellent receptions while Gumabao added 12 points.
“Kahit naman sinong ipasok even from our bench ‘yung pinakita kanina ng iba naming teammates is kailangan ready lang talaga kami. So keep on improving lang kami each and every game. Tinatiyaga naman talaga namin, uumpisahan namin sa practice,” Gumabao said.
Creamline leads the top-three teams of Pool A that will move on to the second round in Pool C with PLDT and Chery Tiggo, which is battling Galeries Tower as of posting time.
After a lopsided first frame, Nxled was breathing down the necks of the Cool Smashers but never got control of the lead.
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The Chameleons posed a threat in the deciding set, taking a 5-11 lead. But it was short-lived as Creamline slowly chipped into the huge lead.
It was a nip-and-tuck affair in the third set, Cool Smashers locked down defensively anchored by Gumabao, who had Trisha Genesis’ number in the endgame.
With its defensive game on point, Creamline limited every Chameleon to single digits with Jho Maraguinot topscoring for Nxled with only nine points.
Maraguinot, the lone bright spot for Nxled, also had 13 excellent receptions as the Chameleons dropped their fourth game in five matches heading into the second round in Pool D.