CANDON CITY — Safe to say, Creamline still has Akari’s number.
A fit-again Creamline side, backed by the returning Tots Carlos, completed an encore of last season’s Reinforced Conference finals triumph over Akari in a 26-24, 25-17, 25-16 sweep in Ilocos Sur on Saturday.
7,281 fans saw the five-peat-seeking Cool Smashers at full strength pull the plug on one of its most recent title foes to secure back-to-back season-opening victories in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
A victorious opening two-game stand, both of which being out-of-town trips, has made it seven all-time wins for Creamline in as many matches with Akari since the latter’s inception in 2022.
Jema Galanza top-scored for the Cool Smashers with 13 markers, but middle blocker Bea de Leon emerged as the surprise package on offense.
Bea de Leon converted 10 of her 13 spike attempts, yielding a 76.9 percent scoring efficiency, on top of a block and an ace to cap a 12-point outing.
Meanwhile, the Soltones-less Akari was led by Ivy Lacsina who was held to only 11 in their first loss of the conference.
Zero expectations, maximum results
Not often does a player like Carlos produce single-digit scoring yields in a game.
Her on-court comeback from a four-month injury layoff saw her fire four points after starting the second set and making brief cameos in the first and final frames.
A three-time PVL MVP would know best that great things will always take time.
More often than not, it takes just one chance to reignite lost fire alongside her trust in the recovery process to restore her peak form.
“‘Di naman ako nag-expect ng kahit ano. Ako naman, priority ko lang naman palagi is to really enjoy the game. Grateful ako kina coach kasi binigyan ako ng chance makapaglaro today,” said Carlos.
“Grateful din ako sa mga coaches kasi inalalayan at inaalagaan nila kaming may mga injuries. ‘Di rin nila kami pine-pressure, so masaya kami na meron kaming ganung klaseng sistema kasi mas namo-motivate kami na makabalik at hindi namadali yung mga injuries namin.”
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