Creamline stays perfect, beats BanKo

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Creamline maintained its perfect slate after a four-set win over BanKo, 25-10, 19-25, 25-17, 25-23, in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference Wednesday at Filoil Flying V Center.

The Cool Smashers improved to a league-best 4-0 record, two games above second seed Pacifictown-Army (2-0).

After a tit-for-tat fourth set, Creamline found a bit of leeway late into the frame with a net touch error on Dzi Gervacio giving the Cool Smashers a 24-21 lead.

The Cool Smashers, though, could not immediately capitalize on the error as they committed two consecutive mistakes themselves first a service line miscue from Jia Morado and the other one a long attack from Alyssa Valdez.

Michele Gumabao eventually finished things off for Creamline with an emphatic block on Nicole Tiamzon.

Valdez commended BanKo’s head coach Apichat Kongsawat for shuffling his players based on their strengths and weaknesses.

“He knows his team’s weaknesses, he knows who he will put in for receives and how to counter,” said Valdez in Filipino. “At the end of the day the hard training paid off and the preparations we do in practice.”

Valdez finished with 26 points that included 18 spikes, six aces, and two blocks, while Jema Galanza added 16 points for Creamline

Gumabao and Risa Sato also finished in double figures for the Cool Smashers with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Gervacio led the Perlas Spikers with 16 points as they dropped to a 2-2- card.