Alyssa Valdez and the Creamline Cool Smashers during a PVL on Tour game against Chery Tiggo Crossovers. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Creamline finally rediscovered its winning touch, scoring a much-needed 25-21, 19-25, 25-16, 25-18, win and handing Chery Tiggo its first defeat in the PVL on Tour on Sunday at City of Passi Arena in Iloilo.
The Cool Smashers bounced back from a rare second consecutive loss at the hands of ZUS Coffee on Saturday and kept their poise amid the lengthy challenge in the latter part of the fourth set.
READ: ZUS pins rare back-to-back stumble on Creamline
Leading 18-16 in the fourth, Creamline was initially awarded a point after the referee called a net fault on Ren Peñafiel. Chery Tiggo contested the decision, saying Pangs Panaga touched the net, but first referee Bobby Celso explained that Panaga was outside the antenna when her body hit the net.
Celso also explained to both teams that Peñafiel touched the net because of Panaga’s contact outside the antenna.
After an 18-minute lull, the referees decided on a replay since both neither team committed a violation on the rally. Then Peñafiel ended up with an attack error before Michele Gumabao pushed the lead to 20-16.
READ: PVL on Tour: ZUS Coffee grabs first win over Creamline
Gumabao and Alyssa Valdez put on the finishing touches to avoid the first-ever three consecutive losses of the franchise as they finished Pool B with a 3-2 record.
“Of course, yesterday’s game wasn’t a good loss for us, but at least we were able to get one point, which is important since the standings are tight. Good thing we won today,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses, who is celebrating his 43rd birthday.
“It’s really important because the standings are so close now. What’s important for us isn’t the two games we lost, but that we learned from them.”
Creamline’s chance for the final outright quarterfinal berth in Pool B depends on Chery Tiggo’s final match against ZUS Coffee in Candon, Ilocos Sur, on July 29.
Valdez delivered an all-around game of a game-high 19 points, 15 excellent receptions, and 11 digs. Gumabao and Panaga had 17 points each, with the latter tallying a tournament-high seven blocks.
“Honestly, one thing we realized is we just need to play, enjoy, and respect the game. We had so many lapses in our first game, but since they were very specific, it was easier for us to adjust in today’s game,” said Creamline captain Valdez.
“With the help of my teammates and coaches, I’m hoping we can be more consistent and prepare better for the upcoming, more crucial games.”
Jema Galanza chipped in 13 points and 10 digs, while setter Kyle Negrito made 31 excellent sets
Chery Tiggo slid to a 3-1 record, hoping to clinch the last outright quarterfinal berth in nine days.
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Peñafiel, Ara Galang, and Cess Robles scored 11 points each to carry the Crossovers.
