Creamline Cool Smashers’ Bernadeth Pons in the PVL Reinforced Conference semifinals. — MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Bernadeth Pons promised she had something up her sleeve in Creamline’s knockout semifinal game against her former coach Shaq Delos Santos and the Cignal HD Spikers.
And the MVP candidate didn’t disappoint as she tallied a new PVL career-high of 28 points on top of a stellar defensive effort with 24 excellent receptions and 17 digs in Creamline’s come-from-behind 20-25, 26-28, 25-18, 27-25, 15-13 win over the Cignal to return to the Reinforced Conference final after five years on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Going up against her former college coach and ex-teammates, the former Far Eastern University star joined hands with Erica Staunton, who erupted for 38 points, to will the Cool Smashers back from two sets down.
READ: PVL: Bernadeth Pons not thinking about MVP with title on her mind
She only wanted to provide everything for her team, which has been missing stars Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos, and Jema Galanza.
“My mindset is always to contribute to the team. Cignal is the number one blocking team, so their blocks are solid, making it hard to score immediately. When I’m at the back, I just focus on passing well and defending for my teammates in the front,” said Pons, who defended against Cignal’s attacks led by MJ Perez alongside libero Kyle Atienza.
“I also don’t want the ball to just drop easily at the back. I’m really enjoying my role in the back row.”
READ: PVL: Pons has something up her sleeve vs former coach, Cignal
Pons was relieved to overcome Cignal, the No.2 team in the elimination round to force a winner-take-all game against the unbeaten Akari on Monday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“We’re really happy because we survived this game. It was truly a team effort. No one gave up, even when Cignal was down to their last point, we stayed focused on every point. We really didn’t give up. And yes, God is good,” she said. “It was really tough before we won the game. Cignal played incredibly well, and they also gave it their all.”
Pons is among the top local performers and is on pace to be Creamline’s fourth conference MVP after Valdez, Carlos, and Galanza.
But she is playing down her ‘MV-Pons’ campaign as all that matters for her is Creamline’s ninth title — the first Reinforced since 2018.