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𝗩𝗶𝗮 𝗗𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻
Both the Creamline Cool Smashers and Cignal HD Spikers capitalized on their team captains’ breakthrough productions to cap off the PVL on Tour’s Vigan leg with victories over the Akari Chargers and Capital1 Solar Spikers, respectively, on Monday, June 23, at the Chavit Coliseum in Ilocos Sur.
Creamline overcame a second-set meltdown to tally a 27-25, 22-25, 25-19, 25-18 win over Akari, thanks to Alyssa Valdez’s all-around brilliance.
The veteran outside listed 16 points built on 13 attacks, two aces, and one block with 18 excellent receptions to help the Cool Smashers take Pool B’s top spot following their sweep over the Solar Spikers last Sunday.
"Syempre happy kami na kahit back-to-back 'yung games namin. Kasi first time na nangyari sa'min na magkasunod na araw, siguro marami pa kaming i-improve," Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses expressed.
The Cool Smashers found themselves in a set score standstill when the Chargers recovered from a first frame heartbreak beforehand, but after a 9-9 tie, the Meneses-mentored squad took back control in the third set by banking on a Valdez and Michelle Gumabao offensive run for a 16-12 lead.
The pink-shirted squad sustained the drive and continued scoring, as Jema Galanza pounced on Akari’s defense in the stretch, eventually nailing the set for a 2-1 edge.
Preserving the momentum, Creamline got off to a solid start in the fourth, posting a 10-4 gap with the help of Kyle Negrito’s aces, which was then extended to 16-9 by Gumabao’s down-the-line hits.
From thereon, the Cool Smashers never put their foot off the gas despite the Chargers’ attempts to cut the lead down, as they rallied behind the ever-reliable Valdez in clutch time to deliver a strong statement victory over their foes.
The black-clad Akari briefly showed life in the second set, capitalizing on quick middle plays to snatch the frame and level the match.
But Valdez and the Cool Smashers quickly regrouped, dominating the final two sets to finish strong.
Gumabao backstopped Valdez in scoring with 18 of her own, while Galanza and Jeanette Panaga finished with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, the HD Spikers-Solar Spikers clash earlier today proved to be just as captivating.
Sparked by the excellent playmaking of team captain Gel Cayuna, Cignal cruised to a commanding victory over Capital1 via a 25-21, 25-22, 25-16 finish.
Cayuna dished out 27 excellent sets and added five points, helping her HD Spikers improve to a clean 2-0 record to share the top spot in Pool B alongside the Cool Smashers.
After taking the first two sets in tight showings, Cignal looked eager to finish off Capital1, as Ishie Lalongisip and Jessa Ordiales unleashed kills to get a 22-14 lead.
The Solar Spikers tried to keep it close near the end, but it all went for naught, as they committed an error, which was soon followed by an Ordiales block on Trisha Genesis that gave the HD Spikers the win.
Creamline and Cignal now look to take the first seed in their pool play, as they will clash against each other on July 1 at the PVL on Tour’s next stop, which will be in San Juan at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
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