Jaja Santiago-Minowa and Jema Galanza joined forces in the deciding set to lift Creamline past Farm Fresh, 25-18, 24-26, 25-22, 23-25, 15-4, and move closer to the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Finals on Thursday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Santiago-Minowa and Galanza formed a brick wall at the net during the Cool Smashers’ breakaway win in the fifth set, combining for 10 points, including five blocks, to pull away from the Foxies.
Creamline improved to 3-0 in the tournament, while Farm Fresh dropped to 1-2 and fifth place.
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“Sobrang lesson sa amin yung nangyari and blessing din kasi na-experience namin yung very close na game. Sa tingin ko, nakaganda sa amin yung situation para pagdating sa mga next game namin, dumating sa situation na ganon, ready kami,” said Cool Smashers head coach Sherwin Meneses.
Creamline appeared poised to close out the match in the fourth set after scoring back-to-back points from Santiago-Minowa and Michele Gumabao to cut Farm Fresh’s lead to 24-23. However, Trisha Tubu sent the match to a decider with a down-the-line hit.
Galanza delivered an exceptional performance with 26 points on 22 attacks, two blocks, and two aces, while also collecting 18 excellent receptions and 11 excellent digs.
Santiago-Minowa added 17 points on 14 attacks and three blocks, with all three of her rejections coming in the fifth set.
Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos chipped in 12 points apiece for Creamline.
The Cool Smashers will look to secure a spot in the Invitationals gold medal match on Friday when they face Thailand’s EST Cola at 6:30 p.m.
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Farm Fresh, meanwhile, will try to keep its slim hopes of advancing to the finale alive when it battles PLDT at 1:30 p.m. on Friday.
Ces Molina turned in a vintage performance of 27 points and 17 digs for the Foxies in the losing effort.
Tubu and Royse Tubino added 19 points apiece, but their production accounted for most of Farm Fresh’s offense, with Riri Meneses the team’s next-highest scorer with just six points.
