MANILA, Philippines — Creamline made a timely shuffle in the second set as it repulsed Nxled, 20-25, 25-13, 25-16, 25-18, on Thursday to close in on a quarterfinal spot in the PVL Reinforced Conference at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.
Ambushed in the opening set by the upset-conscious Chameleons, the Cool Smashers dug deeper and went to its bench, where it plucked Tots Carlos and rookie Sheena Toring, sparking the momentum shift.
Carlos, a former league MVP, who was supposed to be on strict minutes limit after coming back from injury, and Toring, a prized recruit from National University, came off the bench and chipped in 11 and seven points, respectively.
This helped the proud franchise, a winner of 10 league championships, snare its first win in the second round of the preliminary phase and fourth overall against two setbacks.
“We adjusted fast from that first set where we had a shaky start by executing well in the end,” said Creamline spiker Michele Gumabao, who had 13 hits on nine kills, two blocks and two service aces.
The result also sent the Cool Smashers into the top four, and if they could sustain their winning form, they could end up punching a ticket to the knockout quarters.
But Gumabao knows it would be a tougher ride ahead, as they face struggling but traditionally strong squads in sibling rival Choco Mucho (Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum) and Cignal (Tuesday at the Ynares Center Montalban).
“We have enough time to prepare for our next opponents, rest, regroup and recover because it’s going to be tough matches,” said Gumabao.
The Chameleons fell to 0-6.
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