Ced Domingo (No. 13) and the Cool Smashers dismantle Gerflor’s protection—PHOTO BY AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Alyssa Valdez celebrated her thirtieth birthday with a efficiency that introduced her sluggish however positive return to kind, and with Creamline to have a 13-day break after stitching up a second straight victory within the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Convention, the Cool Smashers and their workforce chief can afford some celebration.
“I’ve a sport most of my [past] birthdays and it’s all the time a reminder to me why I’m taking part in and why I’m right here,” Valdez stated in Filipino, shortly after scoring 4 factors within the first two units of Creamline’s 25-18, 25-11, 25-12 ripping of newcomer Gerflor at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan Metropolis because the Cool Smashers moved inside one other win of the semifinals.
“It’s due to the volleyball followers and the volleyball group and my teammates and all my groups. It’s an effective way to have fun my birthday on a regular basis.”
Touted, as common, because the workforce to beat, the Cool Smashers wasted little time in dispatching off the Defenders, who actually couldn’t stay as much as their moniker within the face of the relentless attacking sport of Creamline.
“We had a sluggish begin however I’m glad we had been in a position to get well. All of the gamers contributed. We’re pleased as a result of we nonetheless received the win,” stated Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses in Filipino.
Reverse spiker Tots Carlos sustained her effective play with a game-high 15 factors on an environment friendly 13-of-19 attacking clip, whereas Jema Galanza chipped in 10 factors spiked by two aces, and Ced Domingo added eight factors highlighted by a team-high three blocks.
PLDT is subsequent
“It’s a complete workforce effort,” stated Valdez. “We ready for this back-to-back video games and we actually labored arduous and it paid off. However it’s only the start of the convention [and] each sport counts. So, hopefully it’s confidence-booster for everybody wanting ahead to our subsequent sport.”
That subsequent sport gained’t be till July 13 when the Cool Smashers battle the PLDT Excessive Pace Hitters at PhilSports Area in Pasig Metropolis.
Scorching return
In the meantime, a well-known face sizzled for Choco Mucho within the second sport as Sisi Rondina returned from a four-year indoor hiatus and led the Flying Titans in a 25-14, 25-7, 25-16 rout of Farm Contemporary.
After being away and concentrating on seashore volleyball, Rondina once more established herself as a drive in her PVL debut with 14 factors constructed on 13 assaults as Choco Mucho debuted in fashion in Pool B.
“Proper in her first sport, she confirmed her vitality and courageous character contained in the courtroom,” coach Dante Alinsunurin stated of the previous Santo Tomas Tigress. “Her aggressiveness additionally impressed her teammates which led to their collective effort. She will not be that vocal however her actions lead the workforce.”
Setter Deanna Wong additionally shone with eight factors constructed round 5 aces and two blocks and had eight glorious units, exhibiting a very good reference to fellow Cebu native Rondina.
Kat Tolentino solely performed within the third set and scored two factors because the Choco Mucho coach stated she remains to be working her approach to her high form after representing the nation within the thirty second Southeast Asian Video games. However Caitlyn Viray stepped up and backed up her College of Santo Tomas teammate Rondina with 13 factors, whereas Cherry Nunag and Des Cheng added six factors every.
“Good sport for our workforce as a result of our service-receive went properly each set. I hope we are able to maintain this for our subsequent video games,” Alinsunurin stated.
Choco Mucho takes on one other new workforce, Foton, on Saturday at 4 p.m.
Nobody from the Foxies scored in double figures with Trisha Tubu main the cost with seven factors, as their earlier high scorer Gayle Pascual was restricted to only a level.
Farm Contemporary dropped to 0-2 in Pool B earlier than taking a break as its subsequent match is scheduled on July 11 towards Petro Gazz at PhilSports Area.
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