CREAMLINE’s championship mettle couldn’t be denied as it survived a determined Farm Fresh’s upset bid in four sets, 24-26, 25-23, 25-21, 25-16, in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference on Saturday at the Philsports Arena.
It took everything and more for the Cool Smashers to avoid an early 0-2 hole, led by a tenacious stand from American reinforcement Erica Staunton with 26 points on 23 attacks, three blocks and 14 receptions, and Michelle Gumabao's 21 points.
A heated game of runs saw the Foxies steal the opening frame with a 5-0, set-clinching run fueled by Colombian reinforcement Yeny Murillo.
As Farm Fresh had a stronger grip of the two succeeding frames, it then became Staunton and Gumabao's turn to fire set-clinching runs of their own — including an 8-2 charge to escape set 2 and six unanswered points to cap the third set.
In the end, the heart of the PVL’s winningest team shone through as Creamline pulled off a fourth-set getaway and had the luxury of a game-high 12-point lead en route to their first win of the conference.
Still without star aces Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos, who are both expected to return soon for the Cool Smashers, the champion club’s second unit rose to the occasion and had all grounds covered.
Bernadeth Pons was one point shy of a triple-double with nine points, 12 digs and 19 receptions, on top of Kyla Atienza’s 15 digs and Kyle Negrito’s 20 excellent sets.
With an upset bid looming, Farm Fresh couldn’t follow up its huge first-set steal after a back-and-forth second-set before Creamline pulled the plug and ran away for good.
Murillo led Farm Fresh with 26 points, while Caitlin Viray and Trisha Tubu had 12 apiece but it wasn't enough for the Foxies as they fell short of a seismic opening week upset.
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