Pons, Gumabao team up as Creamline fends off Choco Mucho; Cignal, Nxled victorious in PVL opener

Bernadeth Pons and Michele Gumabao stepped up for the short-handed Creamline as they fended off Choco Mucho, 25-18, 25-16, 24-26, 25-21, to kick off their three-peat bid in the second 2023 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Pons registered a game-high 22 points while Gumabao posted 20 markers as the Cool Smashers played sans middle blocker Ced Domingo and libero Kyla Atienza.

The win also marked the first time Creamline played without its main setter Jia De Guzman, who is now plying her trade in Japan.

Team captain Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos also played sparingly in the match that lasted for two hours and 15 minutes. 

Despite the limited action of some of its stars, Creamline had enough in its arsenal to hold off the Flying Titans, who extended the match after a third set rally that saw Sisi Rondina take over after she sent the squad to the set point, 25-24. Aduke Ogunsanya then rejected Risa Sato to seal the set win.

It looked like Choco Mucho was on its way to bring the game into a decider as Rondina caught the line before Des Cheng cut the deficit to 20-23. Pons, though, soared through the defenders for the match point at 24-20.

Rondina's backrow attack had Choco Mucho saving one match point but Sato got lucky on the final play despite a misreceived ball to allow Creamline get its first win of the conference.

The loss spoiled Rondina's 21-point outburst as well as the impressive performances from Caitlin Viray and Cheng, who poured in 12 and 11 markers apiece.

Cignal shrugs off Daquis, Gonzaga absence, defeats PLDT in four sets

The absence of its two key players was hardly felt by Cignal as the HD Spikers pulled off a 25-16, 20-25, 25-21, 25-20 victory against a gutsy PLDT side to kick off its campaign.

Newly-minted team captain Ces Molina filled in the shoes left by veterans Rachel Anne and Jovelyn Gonzaga as the seasoned spiker dropped a team-hig 20 points anchored on attacks laced with 11 digs as they foiled their sister team.

Vanie Gandler stepped up big time as the former Ateneo hitter chipped in 12 markers while middle blocker Jacqueline Acuña chimed in with eight.

Cignal, which opened its campaign with a 1-0 card, will take on Creamline on Saturday while PLDT will slug it out against Akari on Thursday.

Nxled sweeps Gerflor in PVL debut

Newcomer Nxled made sure to kick off its PVL debut with a smashing win, sweeping Gerflor, 25-18, 25-14, 25-19, behind the duo of Lycha Ebon and Jho Maraguinot.

Ebon collected 14 points built on 12 attacks and two blocks while Maraguinot scattered 11 markers.

The Chameleons will look to make it two wins in a row when they take on F2 Logistics on October 24. Gerflor, meanwhile, will have Petro Gazz on October 21.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News