| 𝗩𝗶𝗮 𝗗𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻
The Creamline Cool Smashers showed dominance as they comfortably dismantled the Capital1 Solar Spikers, 25-10, 25-21, 25-10, during the opening day of the first-ever PVL on Tour at the newly inaugurated Chavit Coliseum in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, on Sunday, June 22.
Creamline wasted no time in asserting their command over Capital1, sparking an early lead in sets one and three through power serves, and averting a second set collapse to propel their way to the opening day straight sets victory.
"Happy kami kasi 'yung start ng campaign namin ay maganda, especially na maiksi 'yung preparation. Sa next game namin may aayusin pa namin," said head coach Sherwin Meneses.
The players in pink seemed to had a hard time in the opening salvo, as they yielded an early 5-6 lead against their counterparts.
However, the Cool Smashers followed up their rusty start with an impeccable 20-4 run led by Jema Galanza and Michelle Gumabao’s aces to steal the set in comfortable fahsion.
Eager to bounce back, the Solar Spikers showed signs of life in set two after Rovena Instrella cut the CCS 24-19 lead to just two points.
But then, Alyssa Valdez decided to put the cherry on top on the second set showdown, uncorking a strong spike from the left pin to wrap it up.
From thereon, Creamline continued their momentum, unleashing a 7-2 blitz to take the edge, until Capital1 whittled the lead down to just three at 9-6.
That proved to be the last stand demonstrated by the yellow-shirted troupe, however, as Cool Smashers middle Lorie Bernardo drilled three of the last four points as an oppsite hitter to help her team claim the win.
Galanza led the way for the Cool Smashers with 12 points built on nine attacks, two aces, and one block, to go along with eight digs.
However, it was Gumabao who was named Player of the Game after tallying 11 points off of 10 attacks and a block, while Pangs Panaga tailed close by with 10 markers.
Meanwhile, with the absence of top rookie draft pick Bella Belen, Capital1 relied on Instrella with her seven points and four digs.
Earlier, a retooled Cignal squad made easy work out of an undermanned Akari team, 25-23, 25-14, 25-23, to also open their preseason stint in flying colors.
The four teams will battle each other out in another game day to cap the Ilocos Sur tour with Creamline facing Akari and Cignal facing Capital1 on Monday in the same venue.
PVL on Tour’s next stops will be in Batangas, San Juan City, Ilagan City, Montalban, Rizal, Passi, Iloilo, and Cebu City.
