Creamline wrests PVL solo lead

MANILA, Philippines — Creamline pounced on the absence of Motolite-Ateneo’s key players to score a swift 25-23, 25-17, 25-14 victory in a duel of frontrunners to annex its sixth straight win and gain the solo lead at the close of the eliminations in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference last night at the Baliwag Star Arena in Bulacan.

The Cool Smashers wrapped up their first round campaign at the top with their 6-1 card while snapping the Lady Eagles’ three-game streak.

Ateneo-Motolite missed the services of Ponggay Gaston, Maddie Madayag and Kat Tolentino who had a school commitment and dropped to second with BanKo-Perlas at 5-2.

Pocari Sweat-Air Force also overhauled the standings with a 16-25, 26-24, 18-25, 25-23, 15-13 victory over erstwhile co-leader BanKo-Perlas in the first game.

Raring to regain traction after a two-game slide, including a five-setter loss to Tacloban Saturday, the Lady Warriors turned to Myla Pablo in the fourth set and Iari Yongco and Del Palomata in the fifth to secure their fourth win against three losses. The Spikers fell to their second straight loss after a five-game roll.

“Ang dami kong sinabing motivation hanggang sa uminit na ang ulo ko. Malalaki na sila. Siguro nag-isip din sila nang sabay-sabay. Kasi kung isa o dalawa lang, hindi kaya. Kailangang sabay-sabay. Team silang nag-isip,” said Pocari Sweat-Air Force coach Jasper Jimenez.

Pablo said she had a pep talk with middle blockers Palomata and Jeanette Panaga and the rest of her teammates.

“Kinausap ko ‘yung dalawang middle namin, ‘Kailangan ‘pag gumawa kayo, lahat kami susunod sa inyo.’ Sabi namin, ‘yung dalawang middle tumutulong, kailangan tayo din,” said Pablo.