Creamline showcased its versatility and dominance to dismantle Chery Tiggo in straight sets, securing a commanding 25-10, 27-25, 25-21 victory before an electrified Tuesday crowd at the Philsports Arena in Pasig, moving the Cool Smashers closer to the semifinal round of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
From an explosive opening set to a dramatic comeback in the second and a grind-out finish in the third, Creamline once again proved its resilience and championship pedigree.
Alyssa Valdez spearheaded the attack with a vintage performance, finishing with 16 points, 13 excellent digs, and nine receptions on her way to being named the Best Player of the Game. Reflecting on the team's ability to battle back, particularly in the crucial second set, she emphasized the squad’s chemistry and trust in one another.
"Through our experiences in tight matches, we’ve been tested many times, and we’ve learned how to respond," said Valdez. "But I’d say our chemistry, both on and off the court, makes all the difference. Our trust in each other, especially in crunch time, is something special. Thank you, Lord, we got that second set."
The Cool Smashers stunned not just the Crossovers but even their loyal fans when they clawed back from an 18-22 deficit in the second frame, forcing an extended set and ultimately pulling off the win.
With Game One in the books, Creamline now shifts focus to Game 2, set for Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, where the Cool Smashers aim to complete a best-of-three quarterfinals sweep. However, Valdez remains cautious and focused on the bigger goal.
"Getting Game 1 is important because it sets the tone for the series. But the job isn’t done yet. We have to work even harder to prepare for Game 2," she said.
For Sherwin Meneses, the win marked a personal milestone – his 100th victory as head coach. However, the veteran mentor downplayed the achievement, crediting his players and the team’s support system instead.
"I’m grateful for my players, who continue to follow our system and communicate for the betterment of the team. Thanks also to the management – winning has always been Creamline’s goal," said Meneses in Filipino.
While Valdez shone, it was an all-around effort from the Cool Smashers. Tots Carlos, who was relatively quiet in the first two sets, delivered in the clutch, finishing with 13 points, including back-to-back off-the-block hits to help seal the victory.
Middles Bea de Leon and Pangs Panaga provided solid support, contributing 11 and 10 points, respectively, with each recording five kill blocks. Meanwhile, Kyle Negrito played a crucial role in keeping the team cohesive, delivering 20 excellent sets – twice the number of counterpart Alina Bicar.
On the other side, Shaya Adorador led Chery Tiggo with 10 points, but the Crossovers sorely missed the usual firepower from Ara Galang, who managed only five points. Cess Robles and Pauline Gaston chipped in seven markers each, while Seth Rodriguez and Jules Samonte added four and three, respectively.
After their second-set meltdown, the Crossovers kept the third set close, but the Cool Smashers regained control late in the frame, surging to a 22-17 lead with Valdez’s down-the-line hit.
Still, the Crossovers continued their push, closing in at 21-23 after an Ella de Jesus service miscue. However, Carlos erupted in the clutch – first with an off-the-block hit after a botched attack to make it 23-20 for Creamline.
The multi-time MVP then delivered another off-the-block strike to bring the Cool Smashers to match point, before Creamline sealed the victory on a Galang attack error.
Creamline’s dominance was evident in key statistical categories, outclassing Chery Tiggo in spikes (49-35) and blocks (10-4) with the Cool Smashers’ defensive and offensive consistency powering them through the three-set triumph.
With their eyes set on the semis, the Cool Smashers remain locked in, determined to finish the job and move one step closer to another championship run.
Coming off a two-week break, Creamline didn’t need to be spectacular to dominate the opening set against Chery Tiggo. Despite conceding three early points on service errors, the Cool Smashers quickly took control, fueled by Valdez’s classic shot-making that helped them surge to a 10-5 lead.
A standout moment came when the Cool Smashers chased down a loose ball near the stands, with Valdez managing to convert a difficult set into another point, stretching their advantage to 17-6. Bea de Leon then took over in the closing stretch, delivering a flurry of quick attacks and crucial kill blocks, including a decisive stop against Mary Rhose Dapol to seal Creamline’s emphatic 15-point win.
The stats underscored their dominance – Creamline overwhelmed Chery Tiggo with 14 attack points, while the Crossovers struggled to muster just four.
Responding to coach Norman Miguel’s call to move past their lackluster first set, the Crossovers came alive in the second frame, engaging in a series of deadlocks before seizing a 9-6 advantage.
Unfazed by their rivals’ resurgence, the Cool Smashers fought back, forcing two more ties – the last at 13 off a Carlos kill. Creamline even managed to wrest control at 17-15, but Chery Tiggo showcased its resilience, clawing back to tie the game at 17 before stringing together four of the next five points. Samonte provided a spark off the bench, scoring an off-the-block hit against Bernadeth Pons, while Adorador capitalized on an overpass to give the Crossovers a 22-18 cushion.
Just when Chery Tiggo thought they had taken control, the Cool Smashers responded with a signature rally reminiscent of their past championship performances. Aided by an Adorador attack error, they unleashed a stirring 6-1 counterattack to reach set point at 24-23. The Crossovers challenged a net violation, but the call stood.
Adorador quickly redeemed herself with a powerful hit to extend the set, and Bicar’s service ace, following a shaky Kyle Negrito reception, put Chery Tiggo at set point.
But pressure has never rattled the Cool Smashers. They calmly reclaimed control, starting with a Panaga running attack to force another extension. A costly Chery Tiggo rotation error then handed Creamline the lead before Panaga sealed the deal, rising for a solid block against Adorador to secure a commanding 2-0 set advantage.
It was a heartbreaking collapse for the Crossovers, who seemed firmly in control late in the set behind the efforts of Adorador and Robles, despite Galang’s offensive struggles. However, the Cool Smashers, known for their composure in high-pressure moments, remained unfazed, expertly navigating the challenge without showing any signs of panic.
The Crossovers edged out the Cool Smashers in the spiking battle, 19-17, but undermined their efforts by conceding seven free points through unforced errors, compared to just three miscues from Creamline.
