By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Creamline Cool Smashers made quick work of the banged-up Choco Mucho Flying Titans in just four sets, 15-25, 25-20, 25-20, 28-26, during the ongoing Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference on November 17, 2022.
With the emphatic win, the Cool Smashers will be heading into the playoffs as the no. 1 team holding an impressive 7-1 win-loss record.
Just like their previous starts, the Cool Smashers had to endure a sloppy first set that rewarded several crucial points to the Flying Titans.
Choco Mucho then capitalized on the successive errors that put them first on board, taking the first set to establish their rhythm in the duel.
However, once the Creamline veterans got it going midway through the second set, there was nothing that the younger Flying Titans could do.
Former Most Valuable Player (MVP) Tots Carlos was finally activated for the Cool Smashers and took the place of the injured Yeliz Basa.
Carlos was unstoppable for the Cool Smashers and played her best game of the import-laced conference after dropping 25 points built from 18 successful attacks to go along with six blocks and a service ace.
Basa, Creamline’s foreign reinforcement, got hurt in the middle of the game which forced head coach Sherwin Meneses to deploy Carlos.
“Kasi medyo may sumakit kay Yeliz Basa. ‘Di ko alam kung blessing ba sa amin na mag all-Filipino or magiging mahirap sa amin kasi ‘di natin masasabi yung game talaga kanina, maganda yung game both teams. Yes, shoulder e. ‘Di mo naman pwede i-gamble sa game ngayon.” Said Meneses after the game.
Jia Morado-de Guzman continued her fine distribution for the Cool Smashers and dished out 24 excellent sets alongside three points.
Upcoming young star Ced Domingo also played huge for the Cool Smashers and chipped in 15 points on 12 successful attacks and three service aces.
Meanwhile, the Flying Titans suffered their fourth loss and dropped to 3-4 in the team standings behind the Cignal HD Spikers.
Kat Tolentino carried the offensive load for Choco Mucho and tallied 24 points built from 22 successful attacks with two blocks.
