Creamline wins, but loses Jia Morado

MANILA, Philippines – Creamline pulled off a win to cement their hold of the top spot, but it came at a cost as the Cool Smashers lost prized setter Jia Morado to injury.

The Cool Smashers downed the Iriga-Navy Oragons, 25-21, 26-24, 25-23, in their last preliminary round game in the Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Refinforced Conference on Wednesday, June 6, at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Jema Galanza shone in key stretches to finish with 14 points as Thai import Kuttika Kaewpin and team captain Alyssa Valdez again showcased their offensive prowess to lead the Cool Smashers, who wrapped up their elimination run with a 6-1 card. 

The Cool Smashers, though, lost Morado to a shoulder injury during the second set. The former Ateneo Lady Eagle, who sat out the rest of the match, explained that she was okay and that it was a lingering injury. 

“Si Jia kasi yung tipong player na pag di umiiyak, kaya niya yan. Pag umiyak na siya, alam na namin na tutulungan na namin [at] siguro today hindi na kinaya,” explained Valdez, who called the long break a “blessing in disguise.”

 (We know Jia can manage it if she’s not crying. But if she starts to cry, then we know that she needs our help.) 

But since the Cool Smashers earned an outright semi-final berth as the top seed, Morado might just have enough time to recover.

“It’s good for the team to recover,” said Valdez. “Thankful kami... that we have a one-month break.”

(We’re thankful we have a one-month break.)

Macy Ubben and Lauren Whyte carried the scoring load for the Oragons, finishing with 17 and 15 points, respectively.

The Oragons, dead last at 1-6, had their chances all throughout the game, even erecting a 22-16 lead in the second set and even tying at 23 in the third frame. However, the Cool Smashers stormed back both times to finish them off in straight sets. – Franco Luna and Carla Molina/Rappler.com