When Creamline needed someone to steady the ship in the most crucial moments, Bernadeth Pons rose without hesitation and carried the Cool Smashers through a semifinal classic that tested nerves, endurance, and championship resolve.
Facing top seed PLDT High Speed Hitters in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference semifinals, Creamline found itself pushed to the brink in a match that swung wildly from start to finish. But when the pressure peaked, Pons delivered a performance that flipped the script entirely.
The veteran wing spiker erupted for 28 points to power a stunning five-set comeback, steering Creamline to a 22-25, 27-25, 19-25, 28-26, 15-10 victory on Saturday before a massive crowd of 12,411 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Beyond the numbers, Pons was everywhere. She finished with 21 kills, four blocks, and three aces, while also anchoring the backcourt with 22 excellent receptions and 16 digs — an all-around effort that kept Creamline alive in the tightest stretches of the match.
For Pons, the comeback was never out of reach, even when PLDT threatened to close it out.
(C) PVL Images
“Alam ko talaga na kaya namin kuhanin yung fourth set. Kahit na lumamang sila, kaya naming humabol. And sobrang thankful lang din kasi grabe din talaga yung effort ng bawat isa. Kasi gusto din talaga ng bawat isa na maipanalo yung game,” said Pons.
Her late-game heroics were not an isolated burst. Just days earlier, she also came through in a knockout Play-In game against Akari, finishing with 13 points and 17 digs to help Creamline survive a tense four-set battle, 25-23, 25-20, 16-25, 25-16.
That stretch of clutch performances earned her recognition as the PVL Press Corps Player of the Week, presented by Pilipinas Live, as she outpaced teammate Alyssa Valdez, Cignal standouts Erika Santos and Vanie Gandler, and Farm Fresh’s Trisha Tubu in the voting.
For Pons, the timing of Creamline’s surge is no coincidence — it comes from a reset mindset heading into the semifinals.
“Coming into the semifinals, na-remind kami ni coach na lahat ng mga past games namin, tapos na ‘yun eh. 0-0 ulit. So, ‘yun, parang sobrang prinepare din talaga namin,” said Pons, who had missed part of the elimination round due to a minor injury.
“Sobrang grateful [din kami] na lumabas yung mga pinag-ensayuhan namin, kahit medyo on and off.”
Now riding back-to-back pivotal wins, Creamline shares the early semifinals lead with Cignal Super Spikers, setting the stage for a high-stakes collision course as the race to the finals tightens.
Next up is another heavyweight test against the Cignal Super Spikers, with Creamline aiming to carry its momentum into a potential finals-clinching run.
In the middle of it all, Pons continues to stand as Creamline’s steady force — turning pressure into performance and survival into statement victories.
#WATCH: MV-PONS 🏐
Bernadeth Pons admits that the fans who chanted for her and Creamline pushed them in their #PVL2026 semis stunner against PLDT#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/2rEiah6OzC
📹 @jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/PgrHA8Pozd
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 11, 2026
