Kyle Negrito stepped up as Creamline sealed its spot in the semifinals, outlasting Akari in a hard-fought four-set victory, 25-23, 25-20, 16-25, 25-16, during the final round of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference play-in on Tuesday at the Filoil Centre.
Barely utilized since Jia De Guzman’s return, Negrito—a four-time league Best Setter and former Finals MVP—was given the starting nod in the knockout match and delivered a composed, steady performance that kept the Cool Smashers in control when it mattered most.
The 29-year-old playmaker orchestrated Creamline’s offense with poise and precision, tallying 23 excellent sets along with six points to guide her team to a win that secured a semifinal berth alongside PLDT, Cignal, and Farm Fresh.
“Masaya po. Masaya kasi, ‘yun nga sabi po ni coach, ito naman yung goal talaga namin na makapasok sa semis. Masaya po ako na nagtiwala sila, sila coach sa akin, and masaya ako na nakuha po namin yung panalo today kasi trinabaho po talaga namin siya,” said Negrito.
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The Cool Smashers also got a big contribution from Alyssa Valdez, who led all scorers with 20 points, complemented by 19 excellent digs and eight excellent receptions, helping the team bounce back from a tough qualifying-round loss to Cignal.
After dropping the third set, Creamline responded with authority in the fourth, racing to a 12-4 start and fending off every Akari comeback attempt to close out the two-hour, 10-minute match.
“Siyempre, masaya ako kasi na-experience ulit namin ‘yung ganitong labanan at siyempre panalo. Siyempre ‘yung do-or-die games, marami na ring napagdaanan ‘yung Creamline, so tiwala naman ako na sanay sila maglaro sa ganyan. Pero ‘di pa tapos ‘yung laban kasi may semis pa, ‘yun naman talaga ‘yung target namin. Manalo pa ng manalo,” said Cool Smashers head coach Sherwin Meneses.
Bernadeth Pons posted a double-double with 13 points and 17 excellent digs, while Jeanette Panaga and Tots Carlos added 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Jennifer Nierva contributed 23 excellent receptions, and Bea De Leon chipped in six points, including two kill blocks.
Jema Galanza returned from a four-game absence due to an undisclosed injury, seeing limited minutes primarily as a service specialist.
Creamline will open its semifinal campaign against top-ranked PLDT on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
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For Akari, Ivy Lacsina led with 13 points and 24 excellent receptions, while Fifi Sharma scored 12 points.
Ced Domingo and Eli Soyud added 11 points apiece, and Grethcel Soltones finished with seven points, 15 excellent digs, and 18 excellent receptions.
Mars Alba dished out 28 excellent sets, and team captain Justine Jazareno recorded 24 excellent digs, but the Chargers fell short despite a strong fight.
