ZUS Coffee stuns Creamline in five-set showdown; Chery Tiggo snaps Cignal streak
The Thunderbelles wielded the upset ax on league powerhouse Creamline with a 24-26, 25-20, 25-23, 22-25, 15-11 win---a feat that that not only dealt the Cool Smashers a rare second loss in a row but also allowed ZUS to bag its first-ever victory against the multi-titled squad.
Chinnie Arroyo was at the forefront for ZUS, churning out 23 points on 22 attacks and an ace while veteran opposite hitter Jovelyn Gonzaga chipped in 12 markers as they improved to 2-1 in Pool B.
Creamline, which was coming off a sweep loss to Cignal, fell to a 2-2 card.
"Tinatak lang namin sa isip namin na ayun nga, crowd favorite 'yung Creamline pero hindi po dapat kami maapektuhan no'n. Hindi kami nagpadala sa crowd," Arroyo said.
"Super malaki 'to sa amin kasi Creamline, champion po 'yan. Malaking bagay po sa amin 'tong game na 'to. Credits po sa lahat, hindi lang po ako 'yung lumaban."
In the second game, Chery Tiggo kept its unbeaten run intact while dealing Cignal its first loss after eking out a 25-23, 26-28, 25-15, 25-15 win behind a collective effort.
Rookie Rene Peñaflor impressed anew with 18 points while Ara Galang and Cess Robles chimed in with 15 and 14 markers apiece. Middle blocker Imee Hernandez finished with 11 points as the Crossovers racked up their third win in as many games.
The HD Spikers, who have won their first three games against Akari, Capital1, and Creamline, saw their winning streak come to an end as they fell to 3-1.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
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