QUICK RECOVERY
‘We still have to improve the small things, and that’s what our coaches remind us’ Cool Smashers bounce back, vent ire on Solar Spikers
It didn’t take long for Creamline to rediscover its deadly form as it booked a 25-18, 25-14, 25-15 win over Capital1 in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Still licking the wounds created by their shocking straight-set loss to Chery Tiggo last Saturday, the Cool Smashers regrouped and delivered a masterful performance that lasted for only 86 minutes.
Reigning Most Valuable Player Tots Carlos spearheaded the assault while the rest of the Cool Smashers stepped up defensively in claiming their fifth win in six matches.
Right now, Creamline is on top of the team standings but its lead will melt away once the encounter between Petro Gazz and Chery Tiggo, who both fashion 4-1 win-loss cards, concludes.
The Angels and the Crossovers are still playing at presstime.
Carlos dropped 14 points on a red-hot 60 percent attack efficiency. Five of her hits came in the early stretch of the third set in which the Cool Smashers hounded and pounded the hapless Solar Spikers with eight consecutive hits en route to the easy victory.
Still, Carlos is far from satisfied. “We still have to improve the small things, and that’s what our coaches remind us,” Carlos said.
“I’m just happy that coach and my teammates trust me. I’m really happy with my job.”
Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses said their win over Solar Spikers that temporarily gave them the lead in the team standings is a sign of improvement from their dismal performance against the Crossovers.
“Of course, when you win, we always say that you should be happy because you improved,” Meneses said, saying that the are not yet looking past the eliminations knowing the tough challenges that lie ahead. “It’s one game at a time, that’s our target for now.” he continued.
Capital1 coach Roger Gorayeb said something has to change within the team.
“Our honeymoon stage as a team is already over,” Gorayeb, whose wards dropped to 1-5, said.
“We can’t always reason out that we’re a new team, we no longer have excuses.”
Bernadeth Pons finished with seven markers while Jema Galanza, Alyssa Valdez and Michele Gumabao matched five-point outputs and Pangs Panaga and Risa Sato added four points apiece for Creamline, which barely beat Capital1 in attack points, 35-30.
‘It’s one game at a time, that’s our target for now.’
But the Cool Smashers controlled the net, producing eight blocks against their opponents’ four, while capitalizing on the Solar Spikers’ shaky service reception, coming away with eight aces.
They also gained 24 points from their rivals’ miscues while conceding 13 of their own.
Creamline will next face Cignal on Tuesday before taking on Petro Gazz on 6 April.
Skipper Jorelle Singh actually matched Carlos’ 14-point effort while Patty Orendain backed her up with eight points. But the rest of the Solar Spikers struggled with Lourdes Clemente emerging as the next best scorer with three points.