PVL: Creamline survives ZUS Coffee’s resilience

It was a grind night for the defending champions Creamline Cool Smashers as ZUS Coffee pushed them to a five-set thriller, 25-22, 28-30, 26-24, 17-25, 15-13, in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at the Philsports Arena.

The Smashers improved to 4-0, and now tied with Cignal HD Spikers at the top of the league standings heading into 2025.

Alyssa Valdez fired up 17 points, while Jema Galanza had 15 and Michele Gumabao added 14. The Cool Smashers had a 72-66 advantage in kills, allowing them to offset their whopping 33 unforced errors.

Also coming through were Bernadeth Pons, and Galanza who scattered 17 and 15 hits, 12 digs and 12 receptions respectively, for the dynastic champion-seeking a magnificent five-peat feat and 11th crown.

"ZUS Coffee gave us a really hard time today, and we're just very happy we got the win today. We're just very, very happy we got the win today to end the year," said Valdez.

"I think even in practice, we have instances na mga ganito. So kahit sa practice pa lang, nate-train na rin namin 'yung mental toughness namin. So, good thing napupunta and nade-deliver namin, and nai-implement namin during games," the Creamline captain added.

Valdez also emphasizes the importance of practicing their mental toughness to overcome difficulties, lessen their errors in the game, and to also level up their competitiveness of each one of them to prepare them next year.  

"Everything has changed talaga, most definitely the competitiveness of each and everyone, mas tumaas, mas nag-level up and I think that's one of the changes that happened. Mas crucial din mga games sa next year, so sana masustain namin ['yung run of form na 'to] at maging mas responsive and hold accountability being in this position. Kailangan namin trabahuhin dahil mas madaming nagbago, but definitely it's the competitiveness [changed more than anything]," Valdez concluded.

Meanwhile, Cloanne Mondoñedo activated 22 excellent sets resulting in five ZUS Coffee’s players in twin digits, while Kate Santiago had 19-point night and Thea Gagate's discord 15 points. Chai Troncoso put up 13 points, while Mich Gamit and veteran Jov Gonzaga added 11 points apiece. 

ZUS Coffee will look to start the year right when it meets with Choco Mucho on January 18, while Creamline aims to keep the ball rolling against Capital1 on January 21 both in the same Pasig City venue.