Games Monday
(Chavit Coliseum, Vigan City)
4 p.m. – Cignal vs Capital1
6:30 p.m. – Creamline vs Akari
VIGAN, Ilocos Sur – Without No. 1 pick Bella Belen and fellow Alas Women member Leila Cruz, Capital1 proved to be an easy victim by powerhouse Creramline in their PVL on Tour match at the Chavit Coliseum on Sunday here.
Coming through with a barrage of attacks coupled by impenetrable defense and seamless playmaking, the Cool Smashers romped to a 25-10, 25-21, 25-10, before a raucous, capacity crowd.
“It’s great to start the way we wanted,” said Michele Gumabao, who earned Player of the Game honors with 11 points. “We really wanted to bounce back and make the fans here in Vigan happy. We’re so thankful for the warm welcome they gave us.”
Gumabao admitted the team went through a tough grind during the off-season. “We worked hard these past three weeks – we kept on training because we really wanted to start strong.”
While the Solar Spikers missed the services of top rookie pick Bella Belen and sophomore Leila Cruz – two pillars of Alas Pilipinas – their absence merely underscored what Creamline already had in spades – seasoned stars, an enviable bench, and a system that functions like clockwork regardless of who’s on the floor.
Even with stalwarts Tots Carlos and Bea de Leon sitting this one out, the Cool Smashers barely missed a beat.
Rookie middle blocker Sheena Toring made a strong impression, delivering an early kill block and back-to-back aces that sparked Creamline’s pull-away run in the first set. Her poise and timing – honed with the title-winning National University Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP – blended seamlessly with the squad’s veteran core.
From there, it was a showcase of Creamline’s signature depth and offensive variety..
With Kyle Negrito orchestrating the offense to near perfection, Creamline repeatedly broke down Capital1’s defenses.
Jema Galanza led the way with 12 points, while Panaga backed up Gumabao and Galanza with 10 markers, including three kill blocks. Valdez chipped in nine points, while Toring and Lorie Bernardo added five apiece.
Rovena Instrella paced Capital1 with seven points, while Jorelle Singh, Shola Alvarez and new recruit Kecelyn Galdrones contributed five points each. Trisha Genesis added four markers for the Solar Spikers.
In the first game, Cignal displayed cohesion and control early and swerpt Akari, 25-23, 25-14, 25-23,
With their new recruits quickly blending in with the holdovers, the HD Spikers set the tone for their campaign, using fluid ball movement, crisp play patterns and solid execution to outclass a Chargers side still searching for rhythm and chemistry.
Newcomers Tin Tiamzon and Erika Santos filled the void left by the departure of two key players, helping Cignal rediscover the groove they sorely missed during their unsuccessful All-Filipino Conference run.
Their early connection with veterans, orchestrated by four-time Best Setter Gel Cayuna, was evident from the get-go – a stark contrast to the disjointed play that marred Akari’s debut.
Santos paced Cignal with 14 points followed by Tiamzon with 11 while Ishie Lalongisip, Roselyn Doria-Aquino, Jackie Acuña and Cayuna added nine, eight, seven and five points, respectively.
