Facing the looming threat of missing the championship round for the first time in seven conferences, Creamline leaned on its experience and sheer determination to drub Akari, 25-18, 25-19, 25-19, reigniting its Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference semifinal campaign at the Philsports Arena on Tuesday.
But to keep their streak of Finals appearances intact, the Cool Smashers must overcome their sister team, the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, in a crucial Final Four showdown at the close of the semis phase on Thursday.
A wild finish, however, is in the cards, with a potential playoff for the last championship berth taking shape.
But before turning their attention to the Flying Titans, the Cool Smashers first took care of business against the Akari side, delivering a clinical performance that underscored why they are 10-time champions, including three All-Filipino titles.
Unshaken by their four-set stumble against Petro Gazz last weekend, Creamline asserted its dominance from the get-go, systematically breaking down an Akari squad that had just pulled off a stunning five-set upset over Choco Mucho. That breakthrough win had put the Chargers on the brink of a Finals appearance, but the Chargers struggled when it mattered most.
Creamline claimed the straight-set romp in contrasting styles – steadily pulling away midway through the opener before holding off a late Akari rally, then erasing an early 8-13 deficit in the second set with a decisive finishing run.
The third set seemed headed for a thrilling finish as both teams engaged in a relentless exchange of power hits and defensive digs. But after Bernadeth Pons faltered on an attack, allowing the Chargers to close in at 13-14, the former FEU standout and beach volleyball ace took control with the composure of a champion.
Pons spearheaded Creamline’s surge, scoring five of the team’s next six points, capping it off with a block touch that extended their lead to 21-15. Alyssa Valdez then sealed the deal, delivering three of Creamline’s last four points, including a decisive hit that grazed an Akari defender’s fingers – clinching a dominant one-hour, 23-minute victory.
The win evened the standings, with the Cool Smashers and Chargers now tied at 1-1.
“We knew how important this game was – it was do-or-die, so we gave it our all while enjoying every moment,” said Pangs Panaga in Filipino, who played a key role in Creamline’s commanding performance in the first two sets. The middle blocker finished with 13 points, primarily through her signature running attacks.
“We learned a lot from our loss to Petro Gazz, so we poured everything into this match,” added Panaga. Her clutch plays were crucial in Creamline’s early romp, and even a rare kill from her punctuated Creamline’s second-set surge, pushing them to set point at 24-19.
Akari then crumbled under pressure. A costly miscue sealed its fate as three Chargers hesitated on a second-ball play following a pass from libero Justine Jazareno, failing to produce a return after a Creamline serve.
While the Cool Smashers showcased their championship pedigree in a must-win match, the Chargers looked like a shadow of the team that stunned the Flying Titans in their previous five-set thriller.
Pons led the Cool Smashers with 17 points, while Tots Carlos matched Panaga’s output, and Alyssa Valdez contributed nine markers. Bea de Leon and setter Kyle Negrito chipped in four points each, as Creamline dominated the Chargers in attacks, 51-28.
The Cool Smashers also effectively shut down Eli Soyud, limiting Akari’s top scorer to just 11 points after her career-best 34-point explosion against the Flying Titans. Worse, the Chargers struggled to find a reliable offensive spark, with Ivy Lacsina, Faith Nisperos and Ced Domingo managing only eight, seven and six points, respectively.
Negrito outplayed counterpart Michelle Cobb, delivering 24 excellent sets, 10 more than Akari’s playmaker. Pons also capped off her stellar all-around performance with 12 excellent digs and 15 receptions, while Carlos contributed 10 digs of her own.
Creamline took early control with back-to-back hits from Pons, edging ahead 8-6 before pulling away to 16-10, thanks to a surge fueled by Tots Carlos’ off-the-block hit and several Akari miscues.
The Cool Smashers' offense proved too much for the Chargers’ defense, as Kyle Negrito orchestrated the plays masterfully – spreading the ball across both wings and setting up Pangs Panaga for her signature slide attacks.
Drop shots were also a key weapon for the defending champions, who dominated the opening set with 18 attack points – seven more than the Chargers – along with three kill blocks compared to Akari’s one. They capitalized on their opponents’ shaky service reception, scoring three aces while conceding just one.
Creamline's relentless attack and overall solid play allowed them to overcome their five unforced errors, which were four more than the Chargers’.
With their title hopes hanging in the balance, the Cool Smashers have once again proven why they are the gold standard in the league. However, their toughest test remains as they must still overcome the Flying Titans to secure their place in the Finals.
