VICTORIAS, Negros Occidental — Jaja Santiago-Minowa made a triumphant return to the Premier Volleyball League, helping her new team Creamline sweep Galeries Tower, 25-21, 25-16, 25-21, for a successful end to the 2026 On Tour Showdown on Saturday inside a jam-packed Victorias City Coliseum here.
The 6-foot-5 middle blocker last played in the PVL in 2021 during the “Bacarra bubble,” leading the now-defunct Chery Tiggo to the league’s first professional championship.
The Cool Smashers swept their two games in the Tour. They were originally scheduled to face the Capital1 Solar Spikers on August 8 in the Santiago, Isabela leg, but the match was canceled due to Tropical Depression Maymay.
(C) PVL Images
“Siyempre excited kami kasi siyempre Jaja Santiago ’yan. Ang gusto naming mangyari rin talaga maging maganda yung chemistry ng team lalo na parating na ‘yung Invitational, yun yung pinaka-importante kasi yung skills ng team nandiyan na eh,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
The Highrisers threatened to extend the match after taking a slim 20-19 lead in the third set. However, the Cool Smashers remained calm and composed down the stretch.
Jema Galanza and Kyle Negrito sparked a three-point run to swing the momentum in Creamline’s favor. Then Bea de Leon, Alyssa Valdez, and Pangs Panaga also connected, fueling a 6-1 finishing run that sealed the victory in 92 minutes.
Valdez led the balanced attack for the Cool Smashers with 10 points, while Galanza added seven points and 11 excellent digs.
Santiago-Minowa, Panaga, and Tots Carlos finished with six points apiece, while Negrito tallied 17 excellent sets and two points.
Creamline will next see action in the Invitational Conference, which starts on August 31. Defending champion PLDT, Farm Fresh, Nxled, Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City, and Thailand’s EST Cola will join the Cool Smashers in the week-long tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, the Highrisers ended their Tour campaign with a 1-2 record, earning a win over the Foxies while losing to the Chameleons.
PVL Draft 2025 second overall pick Jean Asis led Galeries Tower with nine points, while Bacolod native Erika Deloria added six.
