If there was any doubt about Creamline being the best franchise in the league, the outcome of the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference dispelled it entirely.
Despite being without three of their top stars for the entirety of the tournament, the Cool Smashers clinched their first Reinforced Conference title in six years.
Creamline achieved this feat by overcoming the previously unbeaten Akari Chargers with a dominant 25-15, 25-23, 25-17 victory on Wednesday night at the Philsports Arena.
The win showcased that Creamline’s strength extends beyond the contributions of Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, or Alyssa Valdez.
The Rebisco-backed team relied on Bernadeth Pons and import Erica Staunton to deliver Akari its first loss of the tournament—an impressive achievement on the grandest stage of the import-laden event. This victory secured Creamline’s second Reinforced Conference crown and ninth overall title.
The Cool Smashers thwarted the Chargers’ bid for a sweep of the tournament, denying them a perfect finish in front of 8,289 enthusiastic fans.
(C) PVL Images
Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses reflected on the challenge of the finals, stating, “Yung finals naman laging challenge ‘yan eh, kasi syempre ‘yung makakalaban mo talagang ibibigay din nila ‘yung one hundred percent nila. So every finals, challenge sa amin. Accept lang ng challenge tapos accept ng pressure, ‘yun lang naman lagi.”
In the opening set, Creamline held an 18-15 lead before launching a decisive 7-0 run, which set the tone for the rest of the match. Their championship experience proved pivotal in overcoming Akari’s inexperience.
The second set was tightly contested, with the teams tied at 22-all. However, a quick attack from Panaga and an ace from Pons gave Creamline a 24-22 lead.
Although Kamille Cal saved a point with a brilliant 1-2 attack, a crucial service error from the young playmaker handed the set—and a commanding 2-0 lead—to Creamline.
In the third set, the Cool Smashers pulled away with a 20-13 advantage. Pons, who was named Conference and Finals MVP, contributed significantly by scoring three of Creamline’s last five points to seal the win.
“Sobrang fulfilling kasi alam ko kung paano ako magtrabaho every day, kung paano ako mag-extra sa sarili ko rin. Para maging hundred percent ako sa team. Sobrang saya na everyday nakikita ko ‘yung progress ng ginagawa ko,” Pons expressed.
The Far Eastern University product delivered an electrifying performance, scoring a game-high 19 points on 14 attacks and five aces, alongside 13 excellent receptions and 12 excellent digs to lead Creamline.
Staunton added 13 points with nine attacks and three blocks. Team captain Michele Gumabao, a consistent offensive force throughout the tournament, contributed 10 points.
Middle blockers Bea De Leon and Panaga also played crucial roles, adding eight and seven points respectively, while Kyle Negrito provided five markers and 17 excellent sets.
Creamline will soon shift focus to the ongoing Invitational Conference, where they will compete against Cignal, Farm Fresh, and foreign teams Kurashiki and Est Cola.
(C) PVL Images
On the other hand, the Chargers, who were on the brink of their first championship and a tournament sweep, were led by American import Oly Okaro.
Okaro tallied 14 points with 11 attacks, two blocks, and one ace.
Best Outside Spiker Grethcel Soltones was Akari’s second-highest scorer with nine points, complemented by seven excellent receptions and five excellent digs.
