MANILA, Philippines — Creamline is making sure the early surprises in the PVL Invitational do not become the story of its campaign.
The Cool Smashers bucked the upset-laden opening stretch of the tournament in emphatic fashion Tuesday night, sweeping Ho Chi Minh of Vietnam, 25-18, 25-16, 25-6, at the Araneta Coliseum to seize the solo lead in the compact six-team race.
While resurgent Nxled and EST Cola had already shaken up the standings with bounce-back victories following opening-day four-set losses, Creamline refused to take the same detour.
Instead, the Cool Smashers kept their foot on the gas after their four-set triumph over the Chameleons on Monday, surviving Ho Chi Minh’s gritty resistance in the first set before unleashing their vaunted power game and the long-tested chemistry that has made them one of the PVL’s most formidable teams.
The 61-minute victory gave Creamline a spotless 2-0 record heading into Wednesday’s break – and, more importantly, an early cushion in a tournament where there is little room for error.
Ho Chi Minh fell to 0-2.
With only six playdates spread across nine days, every victory carries added weight. There is no luxury of a long season to recover from a bad night, and the Cool Smashers appear intent on making their head-start count.
After scoring 17 points against the Chameleons and another 12 against the Vietnamese, Jema Galanza admitted that the rigors of playing back-to-back matches are taking their toll. Still, she maintained that the team is more than ready for the test of stamina and staying power.
“Of course, we get tired, but for two months, our coaches, conditioning coach, and physical therapist really prepared us for this. That’s why I trust the preparation they put us through,” said Galanza in Filipino, who earned game honors after also finishing with 15 excellent digs.
With the demands of a grueling schedule in mind, Galanza said she simply focuses on bringing the right mindset and energy every time she steps on the court.
“So for me, I just focus on my mindset – what kind of mood and personality I need to bring into the game,” she added.
Held to a tight battle in the opening set, the Cool Smashers pulled away late before dominating the next two. The third set capped an even more impressive performance by Creamline, which showed marked improvement from its previous outing against the Chameleons.
Creamline reasserted its dominance over a team that appeared to have no answer to its firepower, cohesion and determination, scoring the first 10 points of the set. Michele Gumabao accounted for four of those points, including a put-away.
Kyle Negrito followed with an ace, while Jema Galanza came up with a resounding kill block to stretch the run to 10, fueling one of the most explosive starts in the Cool Smashers’ long reign in the league.
Thi Kim Thanh Dang finally snapped Ho Chi Minh’s long scoring drought with a hit that ricocheted off Denden Revilla’s arm and out of bounds. But the Cool Smashers were far from finished, unleashing another run to all but wrap up the set – and the match – at 17-1.
The bench then took over to mop up the rest, with Bea de Leon capping the romp with a block as Creamline completed a 19-point blowout, one of the most lopsided set victories in league history.
Sachi Minowa followed up her explosive 19-point performance on Monday with 12 points, matching Tots Carlos' output. Alyssa Valdez contributed nine markers, while Pangs Panaga and Michele Gumabao chipped in six points apiece, highlighting Creamline’s offensive depth.
The Cool Smashers overwhelmed their opponent in attacks, 49-19, and also dominated the net with 11 blocks to the visitors' four. They also outscored them from the service line with five aces to three.
Dang led the Vietnamese squad with eight points, while Le Thi My Xuyen and Dao Thi Nung were limited to six and four points, respectively, against a relentless Creamline defense.
Creamline next faces Farm Fresh on Thursday before tangling with EST Cola on Friday. It then braces for a much-anticipated showdown with titleholder PLDT, another powerhouse loaded with stars and championship aspirations.
Those matches could go a long way toward determining who earns the right to play for the title on Tuesday.
For now, however, Creamline has given itself the inside track.
The Cool Smashers’ early surge comes against the backdrop of a tournament that has already proven unpredictable. Nxled, after falling to a four-set defeat on opening day, rebounded with a straight-set victory over PLDT.
EST Cola likewise restored order to its campaign by sweeping the Foxies.
Both teams moved to 1-1, joining a tightly bunched field where one victory can dramatically alter the standings.
Creamline, though, stands alone at the top.
And that is precisely where the 11-time league champions want to stay. TMT
