Experienced Cool Smashers still perfect
Despite eking out a straight-sets win to stay unbeaten in four games in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series on Thursday evening, Creamline gave Capital1 its flowers after a hard-fought duel, especially in the neck-and-neck second set at Santiago Sports Arena in Isabela.
Jema Galanza and Bernadeth Pons hit the telling blows as the Cool Smashers schooled the Solar Spikers, 25-18, 31-29, 25-16, to keep the solo lead. But coach Sherwin Meneses was quick to heap praise on his foes’ vast improvement.
“They have a really good mix of players,” Meneses said in Filipino, referring to a Capital1 core led by Bella Belen, Vanie Gandler, Cherry Nunag and Erika Santos. “Of course, Bella is always someone you have to watch, but I told the team that she isn’t the only player we need to defend.”
“We have to keep an eye on everyone,” he went on. “We prepared for everything, including how to contain Bella.”
The Cool Smashers appeared headed for a comfortable second-set win after building a 19-9 advantage. But Belen and Gandler sparked a furious Capital1 rally, fueling a 13-2 run that gave the Solar Spikers a 22-21 lead.
The Solar Spikers even saved nine set points before Kyle Negrito and Galanza clinched the two-set lead after wrapping up the frame in 42 minutes.
Meneses was hardly surprised at how hard they had to play, having firm belief that Belen and Co—should they stay together—have a bright future in the league.
“I believe they will continue to improve, especially with how their players are developing,” he said.
And now that they got through the Solar Spikers in flying colors, Meneses will get his wards looking at the task ahead again.
“We have to prepare for every game because the elimination round is very important,” he said. “A strong finish in the eliminations will give us a better chance of advancing straight to the semifinals.”
