Creamline defeated ZUS Coffee, 22-25, 25-17, 25-17, 25-18, on Tuesday, Feb. 17, in the PVL All-Filipino Conference at the FilOil Playtime Centre in San Juan. The Cool Smashers overcame a slow start and used a balanced attack to secure their second straight victory and improve to 2-1.

After dropping the opening set due to unforced errors, Creamline regained control behind sharper blocking and improved floor defense. The team tightened its system in the next three sets and dictated tempo with quicker transitions and more disciplined net coverage.

Bernadette Pons led the offense with 19 points, but the victory reflected collective execution. Setter Jia De Guzman orchestrated the attack with 25 excellent sets while adding 10 points in a rare offensive breakout that kept ZUS Coffee off balance.

Jia De Guzman anchors turnaround with surprise scoring

Jia De Guzman mixed timely dumps and well-timed 1-2 plays into her playmaking to disrupt the Thunderbelles’ defense. Her ability to shift from facilitator to scorer added another dimension to Creamline’s system and opened lanes for the hitters.

“I don’t really count the points or think about where they’re coming from. I just stay within the system,” De Guzman said. She added that her performance was possible because of trust in her teammates and adherence to the team structure.

The veteran setter emphasized that the first-set struggles stemmed from errors and timing issues. She said the team regained rhythm in the second set by returning to its system and improving communication on both ends.

Carlos and Galanza close out fourth-set surge

ZUS Coffee built an 11-5 lead in the fourth set behind Chinnie Arroyo, Riza Nogales, Thea Gagate and Fiola Ceballos. Creamline responded with improved blocking discipline and faster transition plays that trimmed the deficit and shifted momentum.

Tots Carlos initiated the rally with consecutive conversions that narrowed the gap. Jema Galanza followed with a string of power hits that highlighted an 11-3 run, turning a deficit into a multi-point advantage.

Pangs Panaga delivered a timely block that underscored Creamline’s defensive control at the net. The Cool Smashers sustained their pace through the closing stretch before sealing the match in one hour and 48 minutes.

Carlos finished with 12 points and Galanza added 11 as Creamline displayed renewed balance. Arroyo led ZUS Coffee with 18 points, while Gagate had 11 and Nogales and Ceballos scored nine each as the Thunderbelles fell to 1-3.

With a matchup against Capital1 ahead, Creamline’s evolving attack signals growing cohesion. The combination of Pons’ consistency, Carlos and Galanza’s resurgence, and De Guzman’s expanded scoring role gives the Cool Smashers a multidimensional edge moving forward.