Creamline's Bernadeth Pons. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA, Philippines – When their backs are against the wall, the Creamline Cool Smashers can be expected to showcase their championship pedigree.
Creamline's power and depth showed up Tuesday to keep alive their pursuit for a five-peat, securing a quick 25-18, 25-19, 25-19 triumph over Akari in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference Semifinals at the PhilSports Arena.
The Cool Smashers avoided a 0-2 hole this round, surviving what could have been a possible elimination.
READ: PVL: Creamline cruises past Akari, stays in hunt for Finals spot
For outside hitter Bernadeth Pons, as defending champions, it was all about keeping the PVL title in their hands.
"Parang ‘yung game ngayon, ito ‘yung magdi-dictate ng chance namin sa Finals eh, so ‘yun ‘yung extra motivation sa 'min ngayon -- na ipanalo ‘yung game na ito kasi gusto namin ma-defend ‘yung crown," said Pons.
"Lahat naman kami talagang minindset ni coach [Sherwin Meneses]. Sabi nga sa 'min ni coach na parang 90 percent hawak pa rin namin ‘yung destiny namin, kung makakapasok pa kami sa Finals or hahayaan nalang ba namin na malalaglag kami," she added.
READ: PVL: Inclusion in Alas Pilipinas wishlist a huge boost for Eli Soyud, Justine Jazareno
Pons put up an MVP-like outing, firing 17 points on 16 attacks to go with 15 excellent receptions and 12 excellent digs to lead the team.
The Creamline standout also bared the lessons Cool Smashers learned as they absorbed a 23-25, 22-25, 25-21, 16-25 loss against Petro Gazz on Saturday at the Ynares Center Antipolo.
READ: PVL: Petro Gazz takes down rival Creamline for winning start to semis
Pons acknowledged that they became "careless" with the ball, as mentor Sherwin Meneses pointed out, but they made up for it through training and going back to their system.
"Siguro po ‘yung sa last game namin, sabi ni coach naging careless kami dun sa mga bola na mga kontrolado namin pero hindi namin hinahatid nang maayos," Pons said.
"Dapat kasi ‘yung mga kontrolado naming bola, 100 percent kami dun. So ‘yun ‘yung mga naging careless kami last game. Mas nag-extra focus kami sa training namin na dapat pagdating ngayong game, ‘yung mga controlled namin na bola, dapat 100 percent namin ma-improve ng maayos para maka-engage ‘yung middle namin. Mas madali kasi ‘yung trabaho ng lahat pag kasama talaga ‘yung gitna," she went on.
"So, ‘yun lang din, sinunod namin ‘yung sinabi ni coach and ‘yung sistema."
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