Leaving absolutely nothing to chance, the Creamline Cool Smashers put on a commanding display of championship-caliber volleyball, sweeping former Finals tormentor Chery Tiggo Crossovers, 25-15, 25-13, 25-22, to clinch the bronze medal in the 2025 PVL Invitational Conference Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
Determined to make a statement after falling short of the title round for the second straight tournament, the Cool Smashers came out brimming with both fire and focus. Behind a balanced arsenal powered by Michele Gumabao, Jema Galanza and Alyssa Valdez, Creamline unleashed its trademark high-octane offense.
With their bronze finish, Creamline extended its unmatched streak to 19 consecutive podium appearances in the PVL – an extraordinary display of consistency that cements their status as the league’s gold standard. This also marked their fifth bronze medal, adding to a glittering collection that already includes a record 10 championships across various conferences.
They also recently finished third in the PVL On Tour, dispatching the Cignal HD Spikers in similar fashion – proof that even when missing out on the top prize, Creamline remains a dominant force in local volleyball.
Chery Tiggo, which missed the chance to set up a title rematch with PLDT after squandering a 2-0 lead and falling to Kobe Shinwa, settled for fourth place.
More than just a bounce-back win in one hour and 21 minutes, the Cool Smashers’ latest triumph reinforces their legacy as the league’s most decorated and resilient franchise – and if their blocking continues to evolve as a weapon, another title run could be just on the horizon.
But what truly set Creamline’s performance apart was the team’s newfound defensive tenacity at the net – dominating in an area where they’ve traditionally struggled to assert themselves.
Against the Crossovers, who foiled the Cool Smashers in the 2021 PVL Open Conference Finals, Creamline transformed blocking into a game-breaking weapon. Led by Pangs Panaga and Gumabao, the crowd favorites formed a virtual wall at the net, shutting down Chery Tiggo’s attacks and stifling any rhythm from the opposing side.
Their precise timing, positioning and reads resulted in a flurry of monster blocks that not only neutralized Chery Tiggo’s wing spikers but also demoralized the entire offense.
That stellar net defense was especially evident in Set 2, where, after a tight 11-8 lead, the Cool Smashers went on a 10-4 tear to seize a decisive 21-12 advantage. Sparked by Kyle Negrito’s loaded serves that repeatedly disrupted Chery Tiggo’s reception, Creamline tightened the screws on both ends – highlighted by another emphatic Valdez kill that capped the set in just 23 minutes.
Even when Chery Tiggo mounted a gallant stand in Set 3 and seized early control, Creamline didn’t flinch. The Cool Smashers struck back in no time – and when they did, there was no holding them back.
Spearheading that momentum shift was the unlikely duo of Lorie Bernardo and Rhea Villarete, who combined for a 7-4 counterattack that flipped an 8-10 deficit into a 15-14 advantage. Villarete capped the run with a crafty 1-2 play that caught the defense off guard.
Still, the Crossovers refused to fold. They traded blows with the Cool Smashers in a tense sequence of sideouts, tying the score at 22 after a blistering hit from Ara Galang.
That’s when Gumabao took over.
