MANILA — Negrense Bernadeth Pons delivered a 16-point performance as the Creamline Cool Smashers overcame a stubborn ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles squad, 25-19, 16-25, 26-24, 25-17, to preserve their unbeaten record and remain tied for the lead in the PVL 2026-27 All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan.
Pons, who fired 15 attack points, earned Player of the Game honors as the Cool Smashers secured their third consecutive victory to improve to 3-0, joining the Nxled Chameleons atop the standings.
After splitting the opening two sets, Creamline survived a tense third-set battle, 26-24, before taking command of the fourth frame to seal the four-set triumph.
Jeanette Panaga provided crucial support with 15 points, including four blocks, while Diana Carlos contributed 10 markers, all from attacks, as the Cool Smashers displayed their offensive depth against the determined Thunderbelles.
Despite matching Creamline’s offensive intensity with 54 attack points, seven blocks and seven service aces, ZUS Coffee faltered during critical stretches, particularly in the closely contested third set.
Zam Nolasco led the Thunderbelles with 16 points built on 14 attacks and two blocks, while Alyanna Ong contributed 12 markers.
The loss sent ZUS Coffee to its third consecutive defeat, leaving the Thunderbelles winless at 0-3.
Meanwhile, the PLDT High Speed Hitters finally barged into the winning column behind a 28-point explosion from Filipina-Canadian Savannah Davison, who powered her squad past the Capital1 Solar Energy Solar Spikers, 21-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-21.
Davison dominated with 24 attacks, three blocks and one service ace while displaying her all-around brilliance with 18 excellent receptions and 10 excellent digs.
The victory allowed PLDT to bounce back from consecutive losses to the Nxled Chameleons and Akari Power Chargers.
Kim Kianna Dy provided additional firepower with 11 points, including 10 attacks, while setter Angelica Alcantara orchestrated the offense with 15 excellent sets.
Libero Kath Arado strengthened PLDT’s defensive effort with 27 excellent digs, helping the High Speed Hitters overcome an opening-set setback and sweep the next three frames.
Capital1, meanwhile, failed to sustain its momentum despite a 23-point performance from Mhicaela Belen.
Vanessa Gandler contributed 16 points, while Erika Santos added 15, but their combined efforts were not enough to prevent the Solar Spikers from slipping to a 2-2 record./PN
