Defending champion Creamline secured its spot in the quarterfinals after pushing Choco Mucho to the brink of elimination with a straight-set rout, 25-17, 25-17, 25-23, in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Cool Smashers were relentless from start to finish, powering their way to a 5-2 record and joining ZUS Coffee, PLDT, and Farm Fresh as the first four teams to clinch playoff berths.
“Siguro, I think nag-perform and nag-respond yung team namin sa game ngayon,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
“Especially yung mga outside hitter namin, medyo talagang nagtrabaho sa passing. Then yung mga bench player namin, talagang nag-deliver din. Siguro, team work talaga yung nagpanalo sa’min today,” he added.
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With flawless execution and steady composure, Creamline capitalized on Choco Mucho’s 26 errors to cruise to a 1-hour, 18-minute victory. They not only secured their quarterfinal berth but also left their sister squad’s playoff hopes hanging by a thread.
Kyle Negrito orchestrated the offense with 18 excellent sets, while American import Courtney Schwan led the scoring with a game-high 15 points. She also had 13 excellent receptions and seven excellent digs.
Michele Gumabao contributed nine points, while Tots Carlos and Jeanette Panaga added eight and seven markers, respectively.
Choco Mucho appeared to find its rhythm late in the third set, with Royse Tubino delivering a heavy backrow attack to give her team a 23-22 lead and threaten to extend the match to a fourth frame.
However, Creamline displayed the composure that has made it the league’s winningest franchise. Schwan and Gumabao connected on back-to-back hits, and Panaga’s block on Isa Molde sealed the win.
The Cool Smashers now aim to improve their standing in the top eight when they face the surging Cignal on Tuesday at 6:30 PM at the Ynares Center Montalban.
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Meanwhile, Choco Mucho fell to 2-5, leaving their playoff fate out of their hands. They must defeat Akari in straight sets on Tuesday to stay alive, but even a win does not guarantee advancement.
A Petro Gazz victory — or even a five-set loss in their next two matches — would eliminate them from contention.
Adding to their challenges, if Chery Tiggo wins its remaining two matches, Choco Mucho will also be ousted from the playoff race. The Flying Titans can climb no higher than eighth in the standings.
Molde was Choco Mucho’s lone double-digit scorer, while Maddie Madayag and Tubino added seven and six points, respectively.
American reinforcement Anyse Smith saw limited action, finishing with just five points after coming off the bench in the first set and starting in the third.
