Creamline gained a much-needed confidence boost ahead of the bronze medal match, overpowering ZUS Coffee, 25-15, 25-18, 25-21, to close the 2025 PVL Invitational Conference elimination round on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Cool Smashers finished the round with a 2-3 record, enough to secure a spot in the battle for bronze. There, they will face the Chery Tiggo Crossovers (3-2) on Sunday at 4:00 PM, still at the Big Dome.
Chery Tiggo previously outlasted Creamline in their preliminary round clash, 25-20, 24-26, 21-25, 25-17, 17-15, last Saturday at the Philsports Arena.
(C) PVL Images
“Siyempre number one is move on. Ready kami dito sa game na ito and especially sa Sunday na maka-podium finish ulit yung Creamline. Yung two losses namna ganon talaga ang [volleyball],” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
After being dominated in the first two sets, the Thunderbelles showed more urgency in the third, keeping pace with the Cool Smashers until 18-all.
That was when Creamline pulled away, with Lorie Bernardo, Michele Gumabao, and Jema Galanza sparking a four-point burst. Rose Vargas then sealed the deal with two off-the-block hits to complete the sweep in 89 minutes.
Galanza turned in an all-around performance with 18 points, 13 excellent receptions, and 11 excellent digs.
Gumabao and Alyssa Valdez contributed nine points apiece. Pangs Panaga added seven, while Sheena Toring chipped in six.
Setter Kyle Negrito also shone with 18 excellent sets on top of six points built on four blocks and two attacks.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, ZUS Coffee — who joined the tournament as a last-minute replacement for Kurashiki Ablaze, who backed out due to coaching issues — wrapped up their campaign winless.
The team had been depleted early on, with several players already on vacation following their On Tour stint.
AC Miner paced the Thunderbelles with 15 points, while Kate Santiago contributed nine points and six excellent receptions.
