The Creamline Cool Smashers gave newcomer Quezon City Gerflor Defenders a rude welcome with a 25-18, 25-12, and 25-11 beating in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational on Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City.
Diana Carlos top-scored with 15 points on 13 attacks, one block, and a service ace as the defending champions, the Cool Smashers, improved to 2-0 in Pool A to move closer to a semi-final seat.
Jessica Galanza added 10 markers on eight attacks and two service aces, while Celine Domingo contributed eight points, including three blocks, as the Cool Smashers finished off the Defenders in one hour and 21 minutes.
Alyssa Valdez, who turned 30 on Thursday, contributed four points in limited minutes; Julia Morado-de Guzman finished with 12 excellent sets; and Jorella de Jesus and Rosemarie Vargas had five excellent digs each.
The Defenders were able to keep in step with the Cool Smashers in the first set, with the score tied at 15-all before Carlos, Galanza, Domingo, and Valdez took turns on the offensive end to take the set.
The Cool Smashers, however, made sure that the Defenders wouldn’t be able to catch up in the second set as they quickly established a 14-4 lead en route to a 13-point set victory.
Creamline displayed the same aggression to start the third frame as they jumped to a 14-6 advantage before the Cool Smashers reserves came in to finish off the Defenders.
Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses said, save for his team’s slow start in the first set, he was content with the overall performance of his players against the Defenders.
“Syempre, medyo nagsimula kaming mabagal pero nakabawi naman kami mula sa mabagal na simula. Talagang nag-contribure ‘yung mga players kaya masaya kami sa laro na ito at nakuha namin ang panalo,” said Meneses.
Andrea Marzan and Justine Dorog tallied six markers apiece to lead the Defenders, while Negrense Alyssa Bertolano ended with five points on her professional volleyball debut.
