For the first time in five conferences, Creamline fell short of the gold.
The dynastic Cool Smashers were unable to defend their PVL All-Filipino Conference title — a reign that spanned four straight tournaments.
In the end, they fell to the Petro Gazz Angels, 21-25, 16-25, 25-23, 19-25, in the winner-take-all Game 3 of the Finals on Saturday at the packed-to-the-rafters Philsports Arena.
Surely, this one stings.
Petro Gazz drew first blood with a thrilling five-set win in Game 1, 25-17, 25-20, 18-25, 20-25, 15-10. But Creamline struck back with an equally gritty 25-15, 16-25, 25-21, 15-25, 15-9 victory in Game 2, forcing a decisive third match.
The Cool Smashers even started strong in Game 3, building a 15-10 lead in the opening set. But that momentum quickly vanished as the Angels, led by Jonah Sabete, MJ Phillips, and Brooke Van Sickle, closed out the set with a 15-6 run to take the early advantage.
“Siyempre medyo nakaka-sad kasi silver, pero ‘yun talaga yung para sa amin so i-enjoy na lang namin. I think at least na-survive namin yung six months na walang injury masyado,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
“Congrats sa Petro kasi talagang deserve din nila yung championship ngayon — talagang pinagpaguran nila,” added the seven-time PVL champion coach.
Creamline managed to extend the match by rallying for a comeback win in the third set. But in the fourth, Van Sickle, Sabete, Joy Dacoron, and veteran Aiza Maizo-Pontillas joined forces to slam the door shut and deliver Petro Gazz’s long-awaited All-Filipino crown after several failed attempts.
Still processing the painful Finals loss — their first in five conferences — the Cool Smashers now have no time to dwell, as they shift their attention to the upcoming AVC Women’s Club Volleyball Championship, set for April 20 to 27.
With just a week to prepare, Creamline will take only a two-day break before returning to training and beginning their build-up for the continental tournament.
“For AVC naman, we have two days na rest then let’s see kung sino yung nasa lineup ng Creamline kasi may mga reinforcement,” said Meneses.
