The Creamline Cool Smashers. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA (UPDATED) — Creamline notched its first win in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference in emphatic fashion.
The Cool Smashers got into the win column at the expense of their sister team Choco Mucho, 27-25, 17-25, 25-21, 25-15, on Tuesday at a jampacked Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Rebisco fans in attendance, estimated to be more than 12,000, were treated to a delight of sweet but sharp back-and-forth spikes, including a thrilling finish to the extended first frame.
A kill block from the 5-foot-7 Jia de Guzman nailed the frame, shutting the door on Eya Laure's attack, right after Bea de Leon's swat, also on the former UST star's spike attempt.
But before that, it was the Flying Titans who was at set point advantage after Laure's kill, 25-24, but Tots Carlos was there to keep Creamline in the match, tying at 25-apiece.
Choco Mucho could not complete the comeback after falling down by as much as six points, 20-14, but clawed their way back and even reached set point in the opener.
READ: PVL: Savi Davison, PLDT overwhelm Creamline in Jia de Guzman's return
Creamline then cruised to the four-set win, bucking a Set 2 loss, as Laure exited the court due to an apparent injury at the 9-4 mark of the final frame.
In Set 4, Panaga put the Cool Smashers to match point, while Carlos finally closed out the match after two hours and eight minutes.
READ: PVL: Cignal thwarts Choco Mucho in 4 for second win
It was a comeback win for Creamline after losing to the PLDT High Speed Hitters in their conference opener, 22-25, 17-25, 23-25, last Thursday.
"Well, it's very early in the season, so alam naman namin ‘yung na how we performed in the first game does not say kung paano kami mag-perform for the rest of the season," said De Guzman, who chipped in eight points and 20 excellent sets.
"So, tin-atry talaga namin maging present sa training, sa bawat game, sa bawat kalaban na haharapin namin," she added.
Bernadeth Pons picked up where she left off, leading the Creamline side with 19 points, 13 excellent digs, and 1 8 excellent receptions to earn Player of the Game honors.
Pangs Panaga had 12 points including four blocks, while Jema Galanza and Tots Carlos had double-double performances, with the former tallying 11 points and 15 excellent receptions, and the latter registering 11 markers and 10 excellent digs.
Before going down with an injury, Laure had a triple-double of 19 points, 10 excellent digs, and 13 excellent receptions, while fellow UST product Sisi Rondina had 15 points and 14 excellent receptions.