Panaga Takes Over at the Net as Creamline Shuts Down ZUS Coffee’s Upset Bid

0Shares

Pangs Panaga turned the net into Creamline’s safest place on Saturday, and ZUS Coffee could not find a way through it. Her blocks, quick attacks and a fourth-set service burst kept the Cool Smashers unbeaten in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.

Creamline won 25-19, 16-25, 26-24, 25-17 on Saturday, October 24, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City. The Thunderbelles came within a point of taking the third set, but the Cool Smashers escaped and then pulled away.

Pangs Panaga scored 15 points with key blocks, quick attacks and three consecutive service aces in Creamline's win over ZUS Coffee. [PVL Images] — Pangs Panaga scored 15 points with key blocks, quick attacks and three consecutive service aces in Creamline’s win over ZUS Coffee. [PVL Images]

Panaga’s Net Defense Gives Creamline the Edge in the PVL All-Filipino Conference

The turning point came late in the third set. ZUS Coffee reached set point, but Bernadeth Pons forced an extension with a clutch off-the-block hit. Creamline then took control at the net.

Michele Gumabao read and foiled a combination play from Chinnie Arroyo. Panaga then shut down the Thunderbelles’ top hitter, and Creamline took the set for a 2-1 lead.

That stand mattered beyond the scoreboard. ZUS Coffee had dominated the second set, and the Cool Smashers needed a reset. The defensive stop gave them the confidence to start the fourth set with purpose.

Creamline Stays Unbeaten as ZUS Coffee’s Losing Streak Reaches Three

Panaga set the tone in the fourth with consecutive quick attacks off Jia de Guzman’s sets for an 11-7 lead. She then served three straight aces to stretch the margin to 17-10, all but ending ZUS Coffee’s hopes of a fifth set.

Creamline spread the scoring around, with Bea de Leon joining the attack. Tots Carlos closed it out with a hit off a defender’s arms and out of bounds after the Cool Smashers got past two late match points.

Pons finished with 16 points and 14 receptions to earn Best Player of the Game honors. She said she was “sobrang happy that we survived the game” and credited the team’s patience against ZUS Coffee’s size.

Panaga added 15 points and Carlos 10 for Creamline, which won its third straight in the Siklab Series. Zam Nolasco led ZUS Coffee with 16, followed by Nicole Ong with 12 and Jolina dela Cruz with nine, as the Thunderbelles lost a third straight.