PVL: ‘Disappointed’ Pons bounces back to lead Creamline

Creamline’s Bernadeth Pons.–PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Chery Tiggo import Khat Bell wished she had more chance to play with Bernadeth Pons after they merely teamed up in Petron five years ago with the latter focusing on beach volleyball.

Bell may only have played a few games together with Pons but she was in awe of the Creamline Cool Smasher’s growth after the former Far Eastern University ace unleashed her best PVL game in their first duel. 

“I’m kinda jealous of Erica [Staunton] because I didn’t get the chance to play fully with Pons. Me and Pons played together during which she had a chance to choose between indoor and sand and so she is obviously amazing in sand as well so she went to go play outdoors,” said the American import, who won two championships in the defunct Philippine Superliga.

READ: PVL: Creamline stops Chery Tiggo for back-to-back wins

Khat Bell on absorbing their first loss to Bernadeth Pons and Creamline. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/zvC41OQw1h

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 30, 2024

“Pons is absolutely amazing, she’s so crafty and she’s like an artist. There are also some things that I picked up from Pons when I got the chance to play with her as well. She’s gonna be Pons, she’s gonna be what that is for sure.”

Pons overcame her ex-teammate’s 31-point explosion as she delivered the goods with 25 points out of 55 attack attempts that went with 23 excellent receptions in Creamline’s 25-20, 24-26, 25-16, 25-19 over Chery Tiggo to tie their victim to a 2-1 record in Pool A in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday at Philsports Arena.

“Na-excite din talaga ako na makalaban siya kasi Khat Bell, alam ko kung paano siya maglaro. Talagang totodo talaga siya. And nakita naman sa game ngayon na halos hingiin na niya rin ‘yung bola para lang makapuntos din,” said Pons. “Sobrang saya lang din kasi lahat ng inensayo namin talaga, na-apply namin ngayon sa game and teamwork talaga.”

The do-it-all spiker’s main motivation was to bounce back from a nine-point outing in their four-set win over Farm Fresh 10 days ago.

READ: PVL: Depleted Creamline ready to step up, says Michele Gumabao

Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses on their second straight win.
Bernadeth Pons on her 25-point outing against former teammate Khat Bell. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/J6QvdkDE3K

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 30, 2024

“Personally, ‘yung last game ko kasi medyo disappointed ako sa sarili ko, sa performance ko. Kasi alam ko na mas may ibibigay pa ‘ko, mas kaya ko pang mag-contribute sa team,” Pons said.

Pons is eager to embrace her bigger role as the Cool Smashers continue to miss injured stars Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos as well as Alas Pilipinas player Jema Galanza, who will play in the SEA VLeague this week.

“First six ka or hindi, kailangan mo rin talagang gawin ‘yung role mo, kung ipasok ka, or kahit nasa labas ka man, meron pa rin kanya-kanyang role. Sabi nga nila coach na ‘wag na naming hanapin ‘yung wala. Kung sino ‘yung nandiyan, ‘yan muna,” she said. “Maganda kasi nakapag-adjust na rin pati ‘yung import namin sa sistema and nagiging okay na rin ‘yung galaw namin. So hopefully mas mag-improve pa.”

Pons and the Cool Smashers eye their third straight win against the Nxled Chameleons on Saturday, while Bell and Crossovers seek to bounce back against the Pool A leader PLDT Highspeed Hitters.