MANILA — Creamline Cool Smashers reaffirmed their dominance in Philippine volleyball, reclaiming the PVL All-Filipino Conference title with a gritty 25-23, 22-25, 25-16, 16-25, 15-11 victory over the Cignal Super Spikers in a pulsating five-set finale at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday night.
With the championship hanging in the balance, Creamline leaned on Diana Carlos, who delivered the decisive blows in the closing stretch — hammering a crucial attack before shutting the door with a match-clinching block on Vanessa Gandler to turn a slim 11-10 lead into a title-winning surge.
Bernadette Pons anchored the Cool Smashers’ charge with a stellar all-around performance, finishing with 22 points, 25 excellent digs, and 15 receptions to secure the Finals MVP honors while leading both the offensive push and defensive stability.
Carlos backed her up with 18 points, while Jessica Galanza and Jeanette Panaga added 12 and 10 markers, respectively. Setter Julia Morado-de Guzman orchestrated the offense masterfully with 31 excellent sets.
“I’m speechless,” said de Guzman. “Lahat ng emotion ngayon, I can’t really describe it. I’m just really happy kasi trinabaho talaga namin ito – five sets. Pinahirapan kami ng Cignal pero thankful kami that in the end, tinyaga namin.”
Cignal refused to go down without a fight, riding on Conference MVP Vanessa Gandler, who exploded for a match-high 26 points, while Erika Santos chipped in 21 and Ernest Tiamzon added 14.
The Super Spikers actually held the edge in attacks, 71-61, and even threatened midway through the deciding fifth set before faltering late as Creamline tightened its defense and capitalized on crucial errors.
Despite being outgunned in attacks, the Cool Smashers proved more efficient in critical moments, scoring 28 points off Cignal’s errors while limiting their own to just 16. Both teams matched each other with 10 blocks apiece.
The victory marked Creamline’s 11th overall PVL title and eighth All-Filipino crown, further cementing its status as the league’s modern-day dynasty built on composure, experience, and execution when it mattered most./PN
