Creamline showed its trademark composure under pressure, turning back a surging PLDT side to escape with a gritty five-set victory, 22-25, 27-25, 19-25, 28-26, 15-10, for a dramatic start to its 2025 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference semifinals campaign on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Cool Smashers had to dig deep against an in-form High Speed Hitters squad, pulling through in extended second and fourth sets before closing it out strong in the decider, much to the delight of a roaring 12,441-strong crowd. The win also put Creamline level with Cignal atop the early semifinals standings, both holding identical 1-0 records.
“Siyempre, masayang-masaya kasi, unang-una, very entertaining ‘yung game para sa mga fans. Sobrang daming tao at sobrang daming fans,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
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Bernadeth Pons was all over the court in the Cool Smashers’ hard-fought victory, firing a game-high 28 points on 21 attacks, four kill blocks, and three aces, while also tallying 16 excellent digs and 22 excellent receptions in a monster triple-double performance that drew “MVPons” chants from the pink-clad supporters.
“Siyempre, sobrang morale booster nitong game na ito sa amin, kasi semis na ‘to. Sobrang importante talaga na makakuha kami ng panalo,” said the former Invitational Conference MVP.
With the match slowly slipping away in the fourth set, Creamline leaned on its championship pedigree and erased three PLDT match points. Jema Galanza and Tots Carlos delivered clutch hits before Savannah Davison’s crucial attack error forced a deciding fifth set.
That gutsy fourth-set escape ultimately paved the way for the Cool Smashers’ strong fifth-set performance, where Galanza, Pons, and Bea De Leon combined for a 5-0 blast that turned a slim 5-4 edge into a commanding 10-4 lead.
From there, Creamline held firm, doing just enough to finally solve the High Speed Hitters and snap a four-game losing streak against them, with its last win over PLDT coming in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference on July 30.
“Masayang-masaya kami na nakuha namin ‘yung panalo at naka-isa rin kami sa PLDT. Pero hindi pa tapos ‘yung trabaho—kumbaga, nag-uumpisa pa lang ngayon. Magpa-practice kami ng two days for Cignal, then trabaho ulit. Ayun ‘yung mindset namin,” said Meneses.
Galanza, who played limited minutes in their previous win over Akari in the play-in and finished scoreless, erupted for 17 points, while team captain Alyssa Valdez added 10 points in just three sets in the two-hour-and-20-minute victory.
Three players—Jeanette Panaga, De Leon, and Carlos—all finished with eight points apiece. Jia De Guzman dished out 20 excellent sets off the bench, while Kyla Atienza anchored the floor with 17 excellent digs as the Cool Smashers, despite yielding 31 errors, stayed composed in the clutch to secure the important win.
Creamline will look to strengthen its push for a Finals return when it takes on streaking Cignal on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the same venue.
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Meanwhile, PLDT is now tied with Farm Fresh at the bottom with 0-1 slates, both facing must-win situations early in the round-robin semifinals to stay in contention.
Rookie outside hitter Alleiah Malaluan posted a career-high 23 points on 19 attacks and four kill blocks, along with 11 excellent digs and 26 excellent receptions, while Davison added 22 points and 14 excellent receptions.
Kianna Dy scored 16 points in a losing effort. Kim Fajardo dished out 26 excellent sets, while Kath Arado recorded 28 excellent digs for the High Speed Hitters.
PLDT will look to bounce back against Farm Fresh, also on Tuesday at 4 p.m.
