Smashers nail 3rd win in row

MANILA, Philippines — Creamline made good use of its time-tested chemistry as it survived another MVP performance from Bella Belen in a 25-18, 26-24, 25-20 victory over Capital1 yesterday in the PVL All-Filipino Conference at the Filoil Arena.

The Cool Smashers needed a combined effort from Tots Carlos, Bernadeth Pons and Jema Galanza, who had 15, 14 and 13 points, respectively, to offset a mammoth 26-hit game from the supernova neophyte in claiming a third win in a row for a share of No. 2 in the team standings with Cignal and Nxled at 3-1.

PLDT still leads the way with a pristine 3-0 record.

Creamline setter Jia de Guzman wielded the baton as if the court was her orchestra and dished out a match-best 22 excellent sets that went with three points.

The beloved Alas Pilipinas skipper said the key was the ice cream franchise’s second-set upheaval when they rallied from a 17-23 deficit to steal the set and eventually the victory.

“We really needed to relax because we’re hurrying too much. We were also told to return to the system because the system works,” said De Guzman.

“We stayed focused,” Pons, a Southeast Asian Games beach volley gold winner, for her part, said.

The Solar Spikers were never the same after a second-set implosion and didn’t have anything left in the third set.

Belen, the 2025 top rookie pick, showed why she’s an MVP candidate and outshone everyone with another stellar outing.

But the three-time UAAP MVP and champion from National U was a one-woman show as none of her teammates could score more than four points.

That sent the Milka and Mandy Romero-owned club reeling to a third defeat against two triumphs.

In the nightcap, Farm Fresh overpowered sibling rival ZUS Coffee, 25-14, 25-18, 25-18, to improve to 2-2.

The Thuderbelles dropped to 1-4.