Creamline silenced everyone except Bella Belen and methodically dismantled Capital1, 25-18, 26-24, 25-20, completing a commanding sweep in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at the Filoil Centre.
Belen once again caught fire, extending her 20-point streak to five games with 26 points on 24 attacks, an ace, and a block—a one-woman storm the Cool Smashers could not contain.
Even her strong performance wasn’t enough to tip the scales, as Creamline leaned on its depth—an advantage the Solar Spikers lacked—and experience to secure its third straight win.
The victory improved the Cool Smashers to 3–1 in the standings, tying them with Nxled and Cignal for second place.
(C) PVL Images
“Siyempre, knowing Capital1, andun si Bella, talagang lalaban at lalaban ‘yon,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses, who coached Belen in the UAAP, where they won a championship together.
“Talagang ‘di kami puwedeng magpabaya kahit na one point. So, maganda naman yung response ng team sa second set, kaya naka-recover kami. Actually lamang kami don, pero siyempre yung mga senior player namin talagang nagde-deliver don sa mga crucial points,” he added.
The Cool Smashers rallied from a six-point deficit late in the extended second set before seizing control midway through the third to complete the sweep, which lasted one hour and 39 minutes.
Tots Carlos led the way with 15 points, all from attacks, along with 10 excellent digs. Bernadeth Pons contributed 14 points and 10 excellent receptions, while Jema Galanza added 13 points, 10 excellent receptions, and five excellent digs. Jeanette Panaga chipped in eight markers.
Jia De Guzman orchestrated the offense with 22 excellent sets and three points.
Creamline will aim for a fourth consecutive win against Galeries Tower on March 3 at 6:30 p.m., also at the Filoil Centre.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, the Solar Spikers slid to a 2-3 record in the tournament. Capital1 struggled to find consistent scoring beyond Belen, with Ypril Tapia finishing as the second-best scorer with four points.
Leila Cruz and Sydney Niegos added three points each off the bench, while starters Ysa Jimenez and Shaya Adorador were largely contained, finishing with two points and none, respectively. Jasmine Nabor contributed 11 excellent sets, while team captain Roma Mae Doromal recorded eight excellent digs and nine excellent receptions for Capital1.
The Solar Spikers look to bounce back against Farm Fresh on Thursday at 4 p.m., at the same San Juan venue.
