Cool Smashers, High Flyers vow strong comeback in PVL

MANILA, Philippines — Creamline and PayMaya offered no excuses in their Game One losses against their respective lower-ranked rivals but instead vowed to come back stronger at the resumption of their best-of-three semifinal series in the Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Reinforced Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan tomorrow.

The No. 1 Cool Smashers drew 16 points and nine digs from Alyssa Valdez but hardly drew offensive help from the rest with reinforcements Kuttika Kaewpin of Thailand and American Laura Schaudt, who replaced Serbian Nikolina Asceric, held to six markers and a solitary point, respectively.

They eventually bowed to defending champion and fourth-seeded Pocari-Air Force Lady Warriors, 23-25, 12-25, 23-25.

The second seeded High Flyers got a huge 31-point showing from American Tess Rountree with Grethcel Soltones providing support with her 16 points. But they also fell to No. 3 Perlas Spikers, 19-25, 28-26, 23-25, 23-25, in their side of the series in the season-opening conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.

Both squads came from a three-week break after securing outright semis seats following a dominant run in the elims of the tournament backed by Mikasa and Asics.