Michele Gumabao and Creamline during a win over Choco Mucho in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines – Creamline maintained its unbeaten streak in the PVL All-Filipino Conference after a blockbuster clash against sister team Choco Mucho 25-22, 25-20, 30-32, 25-25 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday night. 20 had survived.
The Cool Smashers achieved a 3-0 record with great help from the trio of Jema Galanza, Michele Gumabao and Kyle Negrito, who remained consistent throughout the two-hour, 21-minute bout.
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“’Yung Choco (Mucho) talaga di talaga magpapatalo talaga basta-basta. “Alam namin babalik sila sa game so sabi ko long naman sgagis gay tayo long tayo, mag ayos nang maayos para makuha natin yung panalo,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses, whose squad once again proved its mastery with 16 Choco Mucho wins of his last 17 direct encounters.
READ: PVL: Bea De Leon shines for Creamline amid loud cheers in Candon
Creamline trainer Sherwin Meneses and Kyle Negrito on another win against Choco Mucho. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/2NYQeylmMt
– Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) December 3, 2024
“Wag tayo ma-pressure (and) nag-react naman yung mga (player), kasi maraming (game) rallies so talagang hindi lang volleyball yung labanan, talaga endurance din eh.” So, yun buti nakuha namin yung panalo,” added Meneses added.
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While playmaker Negrito scored 21 excellent sets, Galanza scored 24 points from 22 attacks, a block and an ace, while Gumabao very well took the place of Tots Carlos, who had to take a break due to “load management”, with 22 points from 19 kills and three blocks.
Galanza’s defense was also on pace with 17 outstanding receptions.
“Nagpapasalamat lang ako sa sarili ko na kumapit yung sarili ko ngayong game. Now the season is perfect, so it’s time for you to feel like a perfect Jung game or a flawless Jung game. Marami Pang Mangyayari. Absolutely, mag-aadjust yung mga kalaban,” Galanza said.
“It’s not all you need to enjoy the third set before calling it. The next sentence you name is the best choice for you. “It’s like it’s not going so well, but it’s not that easy,” Negrito said after the defending champion was stunned in the third frame.
READ: PVL: Tots Carlos remains patient on Creamline’s expected return
Choco Mucho didn’t back down easily despite already trailing 0-2, taking a 20-12 lead in the third set before Creamline responded thanks to Galanza’s five unanswered points to tie the frame at 23.
From then on it was a back and forth until the Flying Titans outlasted the Cool Smashers. Things got hectic again in the fourth frame, but since Sisi Rondina got little help from her teammates, Creamline secured victory.
Rondina matched Galanza’s performance with 24 points from 22 attacks and two blocks along with 11 outstanding receptions, with her Alas Pilipinas teammate Cherry Nunag being the second-leading scorer with 10 points.
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Mars Alba dished out 17 excellent sets, Thang Ponce caught 13 excellent shots while Kat Tolentino had 11 in the game, with Choco Mucho committing 34 errors and losing a third match in five games.
Creamline will be looking for a fourth straight win against young ZUS Coffee, while Choco Mucho will look to bounce back against Farm Fresh on December 12 at PhilSports Arena.