Staunton, Pons dazzle as Cool Smashers survive Hightowers

Tested by time and various challenges, Creamline endured perhaps one of its toughest trials in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference, narrowly surviving Galeries Tower, 27-25, 26-28, 29-27, 25-19, to zero in on a Top 3 berth in Pool A at the Philsports Arena yesterday (Saturday).

Erica Staunton and Bernadeth Pons supplied the firepower, while setter Kyle Negrito provided the stability.

The rest of the team backed them up with a gritty defense that carried the Cool Smashers to a hard-fought win against a team desperately attempting to secure their first victory.

The Hightowers’ burning desire was evident as they dragged the favored Cool Smashers into a tight, fierce battle over the first three sets, clawing back from significant deficits to create a thrilling encounter.

While they fell short of completing their comeback from four points down in the first set, they managed to overhaul an eight-point deficit in the second.

Another rally in the pivotal third frame, however, fizzled out, and the Cool Smashers capitalized on the momentum to reassert their dominance in the fourth, securing the two-hour, and 21-minute victory.

A couple of challenges that went against Galeries Tower, however, gave the match an anti-climactic ending. Down 18-23 in the fourth, the Hightowers attempted another comeback.

Poised to net a point off a Pons service miscue, the Cool Smashers challenged the call and succeeded, moving them to match point instead.

Following a brief exchange in the ensuing play, Galeries Tower made another challenge, claiming a net infraction.

However, it turned out the violation was committed by a Hightower, paving the way for the Cool Smashers’ victory.

Creamline thus improved to 3-1, edging closer to a spot in the Top 3 heading to the crossover phase while Galeries Tower tumbled to its fourth straight defeat in Pool A play.

Staunton led the charge with 29 points, surpassing her previous high of 26 against the Farm Fresh Foxies, while Pons delivered a stellar performance with 26 points.

Michele Gumabao added nine markers, and the combined efforts of Risa Sato, Lorie Bernardo, Bea de Leon, Pau Soriano and Kyle Negrito contributed an additional 21 points.

“Galeries put up a really good fight, their defense was insane,” said Staunton, who also finished with nine excellent digs, complementing Kyle Atienza’s 15. “I just stayed aggressive and trusted our system.”

Despite some erratic play, Creamline’s formidable firepower secured its victory.

Chuewulim Sutadta unloaded 23 hits while France Ronquillo poured in 13 points, Andrea Marzan chipped in nine markers and Roselle Baliton and Ysa Jimenez scored seven points apiece for the Hightowers, who scored 30 points off the Cool Smashers’ unforced errors.

“We’re happy to have won, even though it wasn’t easy. All the teams are really competitive, so we prepare for everyone,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses in Pilipino, who also noted libero Aleiah Torres’ debut.

“The most important thing is that all the players get to play, so we’re back to training,” added Meneses.

“It’s been really good. I had lots of fun. I just want to bring good energy and vibes to the team and play care-free. It’s great to know that we won today,” said Torres.

The Cool Smashers carried the momentum from their big escape in the third set, building a 10-4 lead in the fourth.

The Hightowers, reeling from their missed opportunity to take the third set and go up 2-1, struck back but only managed to close the gap to 8-10.

Creamline regrouped and countered with a decisive 12-4 run, clinching the victory and bolstering their drive for a Top 3 finish in their pool.

Graze Bombita stepped up late in the third set, helping Galeries Tower force a tie at 23 after trailing by as many as six points.

The Hightowers fought the Cool Smashers spike-for-spike, save-for-save, and serve-for-serve.

They even moved to set point at 26-25 on a Sutadta Chuewulim through-the-block hit, but Pons blocked Dim Pacres’ assault in the ensuing play, and Creamline regained the lead on another Pacres’ block.

After Chuewulim tied it at 27 with an off-the-block hit, Pons countered with her own blast, and Kyle Negrito delivered an ace to end the grueling, highly-charged set duel.

Games Tuesday

• 1 p.m. – Akari vs. Cignal
• 3 p.m. – Capital1 vs. ZUS Coffee
• 5 p.m. – Choco Mucho vs. Petro Gazz ​