MANILA, Philippines – In the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Creamline, which had just suffered a difficult loss to F2 Logistics, recovered and handed United Auctioneers Inc-Army its 12th straight defeat, winning 25 to 12, 25 to 18, 23 to 25, and 25 to 23.

After losing to the Cargo Movers in five sets last Tuesday, where they had built a 2 to 0 lead before dropping the following three sets, the Cool Smashers are back in the win column with a 6 to 1 record.

Ced Domingo scored 16 points on 11 attacks, three aces, and two blocks for Creamline, while Turkish reinforcement Yelo Basa scored 18 points on 16 attacks and two kill blocks.

Tots Carlos, who supplied the spark in the fourth set, finished with seven goals off the bench while Jema Galanza put on an all-around performance with 14 points, 23 outstanding receptions, and 11 excellent digs.

Jia De Guzman contributed 24 superb sets and four points, three of which came from the service line, while Kyla Atienza contributed nine superb digs and six superb receptions.

“Talagang this conference ‘di mo masasabi kung anong ilalaro mo kasi malaking bagay yung mga imports, talagang nagco-contribute sila every game lalo na sa opensa [in this conference, you wouldn’t know what type of game will you play or will you contribute]. Talagang lahat ng imports ngayon mahirap bantayan, [it’s really hard to guard the inputs]” said Cool Smashers head coach Sherwin Meneses.

He continued, “Hopefully, mag-improve pa kami sa mga upcoming games namin [ we are hoping that we will improve in our incoming games].

Jema Galanza scored three baskets in a 6 to 0 run to give Creamline a five-point lead, 19 to 14, after the team trailed by one point in the fourth session, 13 to 14.

In the end, the Lady Troopers managed to claw their way back thanks to a 5 to 0 run that gave them a one-point lead, 22 to 21, late in the fourth set. Prior to Domingo’s quick pitch, which tied the game at 23 all, Carlos and Laura Condotta traded hits.

Galanza then delivered the game-winning hit to end the game after Condotta’s assault had missed.

The Lady Troopers, who had dropped their previous five games in the Invitationals, suffered their sixth straight defeat in as many games this conference.

Condotta scored 20 points to lead UAI-Army, and she also contributed 13 outstanding digs and seven stellar catches. Nene Bautista and Jovelyn Gonzaga each contributed 12 and 10, respectively.

On Thursday at 5:30 PM, Creamline will play sister team Choco Mucho to finish the elimination round, and on Saturday at 2:30 PM, UAI-Army will try to finish its season on a high note by defeating Petro Gazz.

Jia Guzman Showed Great Sportsmanship at the AVC Cup

Jia De Guzman, captain of the Philippine women’s volleyball team, is pleased with her squad’s sixth-place performance in the AVC Cup after many struggles. 

Despite being a last-minute substitute for the National University Lady Bulldogs, the Philippines, composed of the Premier Volleyball League champion Creamline Cool Smashers but lacking its top spiker Alyssa Valdez, nonetheless managed to place first overall. 

But De Guzman, a member of the national team that placed ninth in its inaugural AVC Cup contest in 2018, feels that Creamline could have performed even better with more time to prepare and a healthy Valdez. Valdez skipped the competition because of dengue.

I’m very happy for my teammates because after giving it our best while playing in the PVL, we received a late news that we would be representing the Philippines in the AVC. However, we’re thrilled with the victories and the lessons we’ve learnt. Despite many what-ifs, it will help us develop, De Guzman said in Filipino following Chinese Taipei’s 26-28, 21-25, 21-25 loss to them in the fifth-place match at PhilSports Arena.

The outcome would have been different as well if we had more time to prepare, but the entire team was eager to seize the chance, and for that, we are quite appreciative, she continued.