PVL: Creamline sails to quarterfinals after rout of Nxled
Bea De leon and the Creamline Cool Smashers during the PVL All-Filipino Conference qualifying round against Nxled Chameleons. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Creamline cruised to the quarterfinal round of the PVL All-Filipino Conference after handily discarding Nxled, 25-18, 25-17, 25-17, on Thursday at PhilSports Arena.
“I’m happy, and so is the team, because we’re in a good position heading into the quarterfinals,” coach Sherwin Meneses said. “We’ll have more time to prepare. As for the players, they’re always ready whenever they’re called in.”
“Hopefully, in the next games, we can continue to get strong support from our bench players,” he added.
SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024-2025
Bea de Leon led the way for the Cool Smashers with 12 points, five coming from blocks, while Tots Carlos contributed nine attack points.
Pangs Panaga and newly-wedded Michele Gumabao added seven points each as Kyle Negrito distributed 15 excellent sets.
“I’m happy because everyone wants to help the team and make my job easier,” Negrito said with a laugh. “They all want to attack and score, so as a setter, it’s great to see my teammates fighting hard.“
Creamline will need to wait for the play-in tournament to finish to determine who it will have as quarterfinal opponent.
READ: PVL: Alyssa Valdez gets confidence booster ahead of qualifying phase
After easily taking the first two frames, Creamline wasted no time taking control of the final set and crafted a 6-1 run as Lorrie Bernardo pushed the Cool Smashers to a 19-13 lead that forced the Chameleons to a timeout.
The Cool Smashers kept having their way on Nxled with Bernardo rising for a quick hit before May Luna-Lumahan nailed a cross-court and a Rose Vargas attack error, 23-17.
Gumabao pushed Creamline to match point before Chiara Permentilla’s game-ending attack error.
Permentilla topscored Nxled with 14 attack points, adding 18 excellent digs as Jaja Maraguinot tossed 10 excellent sets.
Nxled will be going to the play-in tournament Pool B along with the losers between PLDT and ZUS Coffee and Choco Mucho and Chery Tiggo.
