Creamline elevated its game, cementing its status and legacy as one of the most dominant teams in Philippine volleyball history. With a gut-wrenching, come-from-behind victory over a determined Cignal side on Thursday night, the Cool Smashers clinched an unprecedented Grand Slam in the Premier Volleyball League, a feat never before accomplished.
In a thrilling, but fitting five-set battle, the Cool Smashers emerged victorious over the Cignal HD Spikers with a final score of 21-25, 25-17, 20-25, 26-24, 15-13, clinching the Premier Volleyball League Invitational 2024 crown for their 10th championship.
The victory not only secured their place as champions of the Invitational but also marked an unprecedented achievement – winning all three PVL titles in a single season.
The decisive moment came when Jema Galanza, making just her second appearance back in the Creamline jersey, delivered the game-winning point with a powerful off-the-block hit. The venue erupted into celebration with Creamline fans filling more than half of the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The jubilation extended from the court to the stands, underscoring the magnitude of the victory.
Despite a fierce comeback attempt by the HD Spikers, who rallied from a 11-14 deficit to close within 13-14, Creamline’s execution remained flawless. Coach Sherwin Meneses’s strategic timeout played a pivotal role in refocusing the team, showcasing their championship poise and experience accumulated from 13 championship appearances.
“This victory means so much to us. Coming into this conference, ang mindset lang namin is to hold on to the advantage na matagal na kaming magkakasama. Alam ng lahat ang role ng bawat isa, yung respect namin sa isa’t isa, talagang super,” said Kyle Negrito, who later received the conference’s Best Setter award amidst the celebration and a shower of white confetti.
The ace playmaker also bagged the Finals MVP.
“I’m gonna miss my team, I don’t want to get emotional. I love this team so much,” said import Erica Staunton, who also stood out with her remarkable performance in a gripping mano-a-mano duel with MJ Perez, solidifying her role in Creamline’s grand slam achievement.
Overall, the triumph was a testament to a total team effort.
Staunton and Bernadeth Pons sustained their superb form from the Reinforced Conference, finishing with 29 and 27 points, respectively, while Pangs Panaga and Galanza matched 11-point outputs with Galanza pouring all of them in the last two frames.
Bea de Leon added eight markers.
Michele Gumabao, whose stellar consistency throughout the season-ending conference earned her a well-deserved first MVP trophy, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Creamline management, her teammates, the coaching staff, and the ever-loyal fans for their unwavering support. She chipped in five points.
Meneses also expressed deep gratitude to his players, the management and the team’s loyal fanbase, attributing the monumental victory to their unswerving support.
The final blow, a powerful Galanza spike ricocheting off Cignal’s defenders, sealed the two-hour and 33-minute victory and firmly established Creamline as the best team ever assembled in the history of the Sports Vision-organized league.
With this Grand Slam, Creamline’s trophy cabinet now boasts 10 titles in just seven years, a remarkable feat that speaks to their relentless pursuit of excellence. However, the Cool Smashers are far from complacent. Meneses has already vowed to continue the championship culture and aim for even more titles in the seasons to come.
The road to this historic achievement, however, was not without its challenges. Creamline’s bid for a Grand Slam in 2022 fell short, as the team struggled during the Reinforced Conference and finished third, despite winning the Open and Invitational titles earlier in the year. The 2024 sweep, however, served as a powerful redemption story for the team.
What makes this year’s Grand Slam particularly special is its foundation – a rousing victory in the 2023 All-Filipino Conference, leading to Creamline’s fourth consecutive title.
