PVL: Creamline escapes tough ZUS Coffee challenge to stay unbeaten

Creamline Cool Smashers’ Alyssa Valdez rises for a hit against ZUS Coffee Thunderbelle’s Jovelyn Gonzaga during a the PVL All-Filipino Conference game. –PVL PHOTO

Creamline averted disaster against ZUS Coffee and salvaged a 25-22, 28-30, 26-24, 17-25, 15-13 win in the PVL All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at PhilSports Arena.

The Cool Smashers leaned on Alyssa Valdez and Bernadeth Pons, who each had 17 points, to end their schedule this year on a high note along with a four-game winning streak in as many games.

“It’s not something that we’re proud of also kasi it extended into five sets but knowing ZUS Coffee, they really brought their A game today. They played so well and we’re just very happy and blessed [na] talagang nanalo kami in today’s game,” Valdez said after her best performance in her return.

SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024-2025

“It’s anybody’s ballgame during that fifth set but luckily we got it so Lord thank you so much,” she added.

Other usual producers for Creamline also showed up such as Jema Galanza, who contributed 15 points with 12 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions. Invitational Conference MVP Michele Gumabao added 14 points behind Kyle Negrito’s 20 excellent sets.

“Sobrang grateful lang din kasi napanalo pa rin namin yung game kahit ganon yung nangyari. Siguro at some part of the game nagpabaya talaga kami,” Pons said. “Maganda din talaga yung nilaro ng ZUS.”

Creamline Cool Smashers during a PVL All-Filipino Conference game. –PVL PHOTO

ZUS Coffee looked poised for an upset against the defending champions before Galanza brought Creamline to match point as Mich Gamit committed an attack error to practically hand the win to their opponents.

Creamline had more errors than its young opponents with a 33-27 difference.

READ: PVL: Alyssa Valdez returns with renewed passion for volleyball

Thunderbelles playmaker Cloanne Mondoñedo was no slouch as she activated her hitters with 22 excellent sets resulting in five ZUS Coffee’s players in twin digits.

Kate Santiago paced the losing crew with 19 points, Thea Gagate with 15 points, Chai Troncoso 13 points while Mich Gamit and veteran Jov Gonzaga added 11 points apiece.

Gonzaga also caught 11 excellent digs while Santiago blunted the service game of Creamline with 14 excellent receptions as ZUS suffered a second consecutive game to end the year with a 2-3 record.

ZUS Coffee will look to start the year right when it meets on Jan. 18 Choco Mucho, which is battling Farm Fresh as of posting. Creamline aims to keep the ball rolling against Capital1 on Jan. 21 both in the same Pasig City venue.