Creamline dominates Thailand’s Est Cola

MANILA, Philippines – Creamline flattened youth-laden Est Cola of Thailand, 25-13, 25-12, 25-15, on Friday to set in motion its four-peat feat bid in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna.

Still feeling the euphoria of their Reinforced Conference championship conquest just a couple of days back, the Cool Smashers hammered the Thais, composed mainly of national youth team mainstays back home, to submission to claim a first win in the short but sweet tournament.

“Syempre masaya kahit hindi kami nakapag training kahapon (Thursday) maganda pa rin nilaro namin,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses.

“Sure ako me training kami tomorrow (Saturday),” he added.

And the dynastic franchise would need that as it squares off with Japan’s Kurashiki Ablaze, who won this same conference last year when it edged Creamline in an epic five-set duel.

“New season, new conference. Start new kami at mag focus ulet dahil yung last championship namin tapos na yon,” said Reinforced Conference MVP and Finals MVP Bernadeth Pons, who chipped in 10 points in the win.

Also coming through was skipper Michele Gumabao, who led the way with 14 hits, 12 of which came off the kills.

American Erica Mae Staunton wasn’t able to flex her muscles that much after ending up with eight points.

She didn’t have to though.

Est Cola fell to 0-2.