MANILA – Creamline Cool Smashers, despite not having their full roster, made short work of the Capital1 Solar Energy Solar Spikers, 25-10, 25-21, 25-10, in the PVL on Tour on Sunday night at the Chavit Coliseum in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.
Michele Gumabao finished with 11 points, built on 10 attacks and a block, to be named Player of the Game as the Cool Smashers tied the Cignal HD Spikers with a 1-0 record in Pool B.
“Of course, it is great to have a good start, with a win,” Gumabao said after the win. “Gusto lang namin na bumawi and make the fans here in Vigan City happy. Naghirap din kami with our practice in the offseason so we want to start right.”
Jessica Galanza led the way for the Cool Smashers with 12 points, Jeanette Panaga added 10 markers, while Alyssa Valdez contributed nine markers in the win.
Gumabao also lauded their rookies Sheena Toring and Nica Celis for making good impressions in their PVL debuts. The two newcomers combined for five points in their brief stints.
“They have been working hard and they have been adapting well to the system, culture, and work ethic that the Cool Smashers have, ‘yung good vibes, and they bring in fresh perspective to the team,” Gumabao said.
“They are really doing well and we are proud of them. We are happy that they are part of the team at nabigyan sila ng playing time ni coach today and I look forward to have more playing time for them,” she added.
Rovena Instrella led the Solar Spikers with seven points, while Maria Shola Alvarez, Jorelle Singh, and Kecelyn Galdonez chipped in five points apiece.
Meanwhile, the HD Spikers kicked off their campaign with a 25-23, 25-14, 25-23 sweep of Akari Power Chargers. Erika Santos top-scored for Cignal with 14 points, while Ernestine Tiamzon added 11 markers.
“Pinaghandaan naman talaga namin itong PVL on Tour so nakapag-connect naman kami at nakapag-jell as a team,” Santos said. “Same goal pa din for me even if I am in a different team; gusto ko lang na mag-grow pa as a volleyball player.”/PN
