Creamline sweeps Ho Chi Minh, grabs solo PVL lead

QUEZON CITY — Creamline made sure the early surprises in the PVL Invitational did not become the story of its campaign.

The Cool Smashers bucked the upset-laden opening stretch of the tournament in emphatic fashion Tuesday night, sweeping Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam, 25-18, 25-16, 25-6, at Smart Araneta Coliseum to seize the solo lead in the compact six-team race.

While resurgent Nxled and EST Cola had already shaken up the standings with bounce-back victories following opening-day four-set losses, Creamline refused to take the same detour.

Instead, the Cool Smashers kept their foot on the gas after their four-set triumph over the Chameleons on Monday, surviving Ho Chi Minh City’s gritty resistance in the first set before unleashing their vaunted power game and long-tested chemistry.

The 61-minute victory gave Creamline a spotless 2-0 record heading into Wednesday’s break and, more importantly, an early cushion in a tournament where there is little room for error.

Ho Chi Minh City fell to 0-2.

With only six playdates spread across nine days, every victory carries added weight.

There is no luxury of a long season to recover from a bad night, and the Cool Smashers appear intent on making their head start count.

After scoring 17 points against the Chameleons and another 12 against the Vietnamese, Jema Galanza admitted that the rigors of playing back-to-back matches were taking their toll.

Still, she maintained that the team was more than ready for the test of stamina and staying power.

“Of course, we get tired, but for two months, our coaches, conditioning coach, and physical therapist really prepared us for this. That’s why I trust the preparation they put us through,” said Galanza in Filipino, who earned game honors after also finishing with 15 excellent digs.

With the demands of a grueling schedule in mind, Galanza said she simply focuses on bringing the right mindset and energy every time she steps on the court.

“So for me, I just focus on my mindset – what kind of mood and personality I need to bring into the game,” she added.

Held to a tight battle in the opening set, the Cool Smashers pulled away late before dominating the next two.

The third set capped an even more impressive performance by Creamline, which showed marked improvement from its previous outing against the Chameleons.

Creamline reasserted its dominance over a team that appeared to have no answer for its firepower, cohesion, and determination, scoring the first 10 points of the third set.

Michele Gumabao accounted for four of those points, including a put-away.

Kyle Negrito followed with an ace, while Galanza came up with a resounding kill block to stretch the run to 10, fueling one of the most explosive starts in the Cool Smashers’ long reign in the league.

Thi Kim Thanh Dang finally snapped Ho Chi Minh City’s long scoring drought with a hit that ricocheted off Denden Revilla’s arm and out of bounds.

But the Cool Smashers were far from finished, unleashing another run to all but wrap up the set — and the match — at 17-1.

The bench then took over, with Bea de Leon capping the romp with a block as Creamline completed a 19-point blowout, one of the most lopsided set victories in league history.

Sachi Minowa followed her explosive 19-point performance Monday with 12 points, matching Tots Carlos’ output.

Alyssa Valdez contributed nine points, while Pangs Panaga and Gumabao chipped in six apiece, highlighting Creamline’s offensive depth.

The Cool Smashers overwhelmed Ho Chi Minh City in attacks, 49-19, and dominated the net with an 11-4 advantage in blocks.

Creamline also outscored the Vietnamese side from the service line, five aces to three.

Dang led Ho Chi Minh City with eight points, while Le Thi My Xuyen and Dao Thi Nung were limited to six and four points, respectively, against Creamline’s relentless defense.

Creamline next faces Farm Fresh on Thursday before tangling with EST Cola on Friday.

The Cool Smashers then brace for a much-anticipated showdown with defending champion PLDT on Sunday.

Those matches could go a long way toward determining who earns the right to play for the title.

The six-team Invitational uses a single-round-robin format, with the top two teams advancing to a winner-take-all championship match on Sept. 8 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

For now, however, Creamline has given itself the inside track.

The Cool Smashers’ early surge comes against the backdrop of a tournament that has already proven unpredictable.

Nxled, after absorbing a four-set defeat on opening day, rebounded with a straight-set victory over PLDT.

EST Cola likewise restored order to its campaign by sweeping Farm Fresh.

Both teams moved to 1-1, joining PLDT and Farm Fresh in a tightly bunched field where one victory can dramatically alter the standings.

Creamline, though, stands alone at the top.

And that is precisely where the 11-time league champions want to stay.