Creamline forged a tie with Nxled at the top of the standings after fending off ZUS Coffee in four sets, 25-19, 16-25, 26-24, 25-17, in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series on Saturday night at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
After taking the opening set, the Cool Smashers overcame a second-set letdown before regaining control in the next two frames to turn back the Thunderbelles and claim a share of the top spot alongside the Chameleons. Both teams now hold identical 3-0 records.
(C) PVL Images
Creamline got a huge lift from Jeanette Panaga in the extended third set, as she delivered back-to-back kill blocks on Chinnie Arroyo to give the Cool Smashers a 2-1 set advantage and move them one frame away from victory.
Panaga came through again in the fourth set, scoring on consecutive quick attacks to help the Rebisco-backed squad seize an early 11-7 advantage that ZUS Coffee could not overcome.
“Yun nga, naging maganda naman ‘yung response ng players namin, ‘yung situation kasi medyo hindi namin hawak. Talagang ‘yung second set medyo naging hindi maganda ‘yung service at receive namin,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
“Pero ‘yun nga, lagi nga naming sinasabi na kada situation kailangan meron tayong pambawi, meron tayong solution sa lahat ng nangyayari. Good naman, naka-recover kami dun sa game,” he added.
The 10-time champion middle blocker was all over the court for the Cool Smashers, tallying seven attacks, four blocks, and four aces for 15 points in the one-hour, 49-minute victory.
Bernadeth Pons continued to regain her rhythm, leading Creamline with 16 points alongside 14 excellent receptions. Tots Carlos chipped in 10 points, while Jema Galanza added eight points and 10 excellent digs.
Jia De Guzman dished out 17 excellent sets, while Kyla Atienza registered 10 excellent digs.
The Cool Smashers will look to extend their winning streak to four games when they take on Capital1 at 6 p.m. in Santiago, Isabela.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, ZUS Coffee slipped into a tie with Galeries Tower at the bottom of the standings, with both teams carrying winless 0-3 records.
Zam Nolasco paced the Thunderbelles with 16 points, while rookie middle blocker Nicole Ong added 12 points on nine attacks and three blocks.
ZUS Coffee will aim to snap its losing streak when it faces PLDT at 3:30 p.m., also in Santiago.
