Creamline topples PLDT to resume PVL Grand Slam bid; Choco Mucho trips F2 Logistics

MANILA, Philippines – Alyssa Valdez delivered a triple-double as the Creamline Cool Smashers resumed their grand slam bid in the Premier Volleyball League with a 25-22, 25-18, 26-28, 25-22 win over PLDT High Speed Hitters in their Reinforced Conference opener at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig on Thursday, October 13.

Valdez, who missed the Cool Smashers’ stints as national team representatives due to dengue, delivered 17 points, 13 excellent receptions, and 13 excellent digs as Creamline eyes a sweep of the three PVL crowns after reigning in the Open and Invitational Conferences.

Ced Domingo earned Player of the Game honors with 17 points off 11 attacks and 3 aces, stepping up for a Cool Smashers side that missed two-time MVP Tots Carlos due to back issues.

Creamline import Yeliz Basa also finished with 17 points.

The High Speed Hitters tried to force a deciding set and trailed by just two points in the fourth frame, 20-22, before Valdez scored an attack off a broken play to give the Cool Smashers some separation.

PLDT import Elena Samoilenko fired an off-the-block hit to keep the High Speed Hitters within striking distance, 21-23, but Creamline scored two of the next three points courtesy of Domingo.

“They were able to adjust in the third set. The breaks of the game did not go in our favor in the end, but we did not get rattled in the fourth set,” said Cool Smashers head coach Sherwin Meneses in a mix of Filipino and English.

Samoilenko chalked up 24 points on top of 17 receptions, while Mika Reyes tallied 11 points and 7 digs for PLDT, which slipped to 1-1.

Choco Mucho keeps F2 Logistics winless

Meanwhile, the Choco Mucho Flying Titans bounced back from their conference-opening loss following a gritty 25-21, 22-25, 25-20, 26-24 win over F2 Logistics Cargo Movers.

The Cargo Movers were on the verge of extending the match to five sets when they grabbed a 24-22 lead, but the Flying Titans drew level before they seized a 25-24 lead off an Iris Tolenada net violation.

Choco Mucho standout Isa Molde then blocked a hit from F2 Logistics import Lindsay Stalzer to complete their fourth-set comeback and seal the win.

Flying Titans import Odina Aliveya fired 27 points, 25 off attacks, while Kat Tolentino and Bea De Leon chimed in 11 points apiece.

Libero Denden Lazaro-Revilla also made her presence felt in the victory with 26 digs and 11 excellent receptions.

Stalzer saw her 26-point debut go for naught as the Cargo Movers remained winless after two games. – Ivy Ferrer and Jaslyn dela Cuesta/Rappler.com