Creamline upstages Ateneo in Game 1

MANILA, Philippines — Creamline overwhelmed Ateneo-Motolite, 25-17, 25-10, 25-15 to move to the cusp of a second straight title in the Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Open Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan yesterday.

Alyssa Valdez rifled in 14 points and Michele Gumabao had 12 to lead the way for the Cool Smashers who were hardly tested in securing the opener of their best-of-three title showdown.

Creamline, holder of the Reinforced Conference crown, guns to wrap up the series on Saturday in Batangas, Valdez’s home province.

“We’re very happy that the result was like this. We know that Ateneo is a tall team and they are good at blocking. If we can’t hit, we have to score through the other departments. Today’s game is a total team effort,” said Valdez.

Valdez accounted for seven of the Cool Smashers’ 11 aces while also chalking up a block from the team’s four even as Gumabao scored 12 of their 41 attacks as Creamline overwhelmed Ateneo-Motolite in those departments (4-1-22).

Jema Galanza smashed nine points, Risa Sato punched in eight, Pau Soriano came up with seven and setter Jia Morado contributed six points for the Cool Smashers.