ILAGAN, Isabela – Even without several of its biggest stars, Creamline barely skipped a beat, defeating a Brooke Van Sickle-less Nxled in four sets, 25-18, 25-23, 16-25, 25-19, to open its 2026 Premier Volleyball League On Tour Showdown campaign on Wednesday at the Capital Arena here.
With Tots Carlos, Alyssa Valdez, Bea De Leon, and Jeanette Panaga all out of uniform, and star setter Jia De Guzman away on national team duty with Alas Pilipinas, the Cool Smashers leaned on their depth to dispatch the Chameleons in their tournament opener.
Michele Gumabao led Creamline with a match-high 18 points built on 16 attacks, one block, and one ace after coming off the bench. Lorie Bernardo chipped in 13 points on 12 attacks and one kill block.
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Ishie Lalongisip, who was playing against Creamline in the All-Filipino Conference Finals just a few months ago, scored nine points in her debut for the Cool Smashers, while Jema Galanza and Rose Vargas added eight points each.
Kyle Negrito orchestrated the offense with 16 excellent sets, while Denden Revilla and Ella De Jesus anchored the floor defense with 16 excellent receptions and nine excellent digs, respectively.
“Siyempre, masaya ako kasi nag-perform nang maganda ‘yung team namin. Kahit ‘yung mga seniors namin ‘di nakalaro, ‘yun naman ‘yung maka-experience sila ng ganitong laro. Magandang laro. So masaya,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
After seeing its bid for a straight-set victory denied by Nxled in the third set, Creamline wasted little time regaining control in the fourth.
Holding a slim 17-15 lead, the Cool Smashers put together a crucial 3-0 run behind Gumabao and Vargas to stretch the advantage to 20-15. Although the Chameleons threatened to rally, Creamline responded every time to keep them at bay.
The Cool Smashers maintained a 22-18 cushion before Gumabao and Sheena Toring delivered back-to-back points to bring Creamline to match point, 24-18.
EJ Cariño saved one match point for Nxled, but Bernardo answered with an off-the-block attack to seal the victory in one hour and 46 minutes.
Creamline will return to Isabela on August 8 to face a revamped Capital1 in Santiago.
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MJ Phillips led the Chameleons, while Cariño recorded a double-double with 11 points and 14 excellent receptions. Myla Pablo and Jonah Sabete-Escamillan added 11 points each.
Gel Cayuna, making her debut for Nxled, dished out 22 excellent sets and scored three points off the bench.
The Chameleons will try to bounce back from their opening loss when they face the Solar Spikers on July 25 in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
