Creamline secured the top seed in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference after a dominant bounce-back victory against Galeries Tower, 25-15, 26-24, 25-19, to close out the preliminaries on a high note Thursday at the Philsports Arena.
The Cool Smashers rebounded in style following a five-set heartbreak against PLDT — 28-30, 21-25, 25-23, 25-18, 14-16 — their first loss of the conference, to finish the preliminary phase with a 10-1 record.
Creamline claimed the No. 1 spot by virtue of its superior set ratio over Petro Gazz, which also entered the day with a 9-1 slate and was set to face Nxled later.
Even if the Angels won their match, the Cool Smashers’ advantage in the tiebreaker guaranteed them the top seed heading into the next round.
After a dominant first set, Creamline mounted an impressive rally in the second. They overcame a 15-22 deficit with an 11-2 finishing run to steal the frame, 26-24, and take a 2-0 lead.
The Cool Smashers then stormed out to a 5-0 start in the third set and never looked back, sealing the sweep.
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“Siyempre, masaya ulit. Siyempre, nag-rank one kami. I think may konting advantage kasi lower rank ‘yung makakalaban mo. Pero, sa tingin ko, ito ‘yung time na hindi na pwedeng mag-relax talaga kasi puro may knockout game na mangyayari,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
“So, I think, ito ‘yung part na talaga dapat ‘yung 110% namin, ibigay na namin kasi tapos na ‘yung elimination. So, magpe-prepare kami for quarterfinals.”
Tots Carlos led the way for the Cool Smashers with 18 points built on 16 attacks, one ace, and one block. Team captain Alyssa Valdez delivered 16 points along with seven excellent digs and seven excellent receptions.
No other Creamline player reached double figures. Bea De Leon added six points, Jema Galanza contributed five markers and eight digs, and Jeanette Panaga also chipped in five.
Kyle Negrito orchestrated the offense with 16 excellent sets while scoring three points.
Creamline will face either Nxled or Capital1 in the qualifying round, set to begin on February 27 at the Philsports Arena.
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Meanwhile, Galeries Tower finished the preliminaries with a 1-10 record, placing 10th. However, a win by Nxled later in the day would drop the Highrisers to 11th place.
Roselle Baliton was the lone bright spot for Galeries Tower, scoring 10 points off four attacks, five kill blocks, and one ace.
Jho Maraguinot and Ysa Jimenez chipped in six points apiece in the losing effort.
