MANILA, Philippines – PLDT just reasserted its mastery over Creamline.
The PLDT High Speed Hitters put an end to Creamline’s 19-game winning run after stunning the Cool Smashers in a five-set thriller, 30-28, 25-21, 23-25, 18-25, 16-14, in the 2024-2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference at the Ynares Center Antipolo on Saturday, February 15.
It was also PLDT’s third straight win against the Cool Smashers, starting last April 2024 in the All-Conference preliminaries, and the subsequent Reinforced Conference.
Creamline last lost against the Petro Gazz Angels in a five-set thriller on August 13, 2024.
The High Speed Hitters now stand at 7-3, tied with the Choco Mucho Flying Titans and the Cignal HD Spikers in third place.
Creamline settled for a share of the top seed with the Petro Gazz Angels at 9-1.
The loss also cut the Cool Smashers’ bid to match their unprecedented 25-game winning streak from 2019 to 2021, while also tying their second-longest run of 19 games from 2023 to 2024.
Savannah Davidson recorded 34 points off 29 attacks to lift PLDT in the stunning win. Majoy Baron also put up 15 points, while Fiola Ceballos added 14 markers, 16 excellent digs, and 11 excellent receptions in an all-around outing for the High Speed Hitters.
Mika Reyes and Erika Santos likewise proved pivotal for PLDT’s cause, chipping 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Even rookie Angge Alcantara showed out for PLDT, orchestrating the offense with 21 excellent sets, while libero and team captain Kath Arado had 21 digs to complete the stunner over the Grand Slam champions.
The High Speed Hitters dug deep late in the final set, recovering from a 5-8 deficit through a 4-1 blast highlighted by Kim Dy’s first point since returning from a knee injury.
Aside from Dy, Kim Fajardo also provided some well-needed impact in the fifth set to put PLDT over the hump.
Reyes and Davidson connived to counter Creamline’s Bernadette Pons in the ensuing possessions, resulting in a 13-all deadlock in the final stretch.
Davidson then took over with two attacks, before Ceballos sealed PLDT’s fate with a block on Tots Carlos for the victory.
Creamline, meanwhile, leaned on reigning Invitational Conference MVP Bernadette Pons, who had 23 points off 20 attacks on top of 9 digs and 12 excellent receptions, albeit for naught.
Tots Carlos contributed 16 points, while Jema Galanza and Bea de Leon tallied 11 apiece to add support for the Cool Smashers.
Creamline will look to bounce back on Thursday, February 20, at the PhilSports Arena against the Galeries Tower, while PLDT will try to sustain its winning roll against ZUS Coffee next Saturday, February 22, in Passi, Iloilo. – Rappler.com