For the first time in five conferences, the queens of consistency finally took a bow.
Creamline's four-conference dominance of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference came to a stunning halt Saturday night, as the Petro Gazz Angels dethroned the Cool Smashers in a gripping Game 3 finale at the sold-out Philsports Arena.
The final score—21-25, 16-25, 25-23, 19-25—told the story of a team that refused to yield. Petro Gazz, relentless and resolute, clinched their first-ever All-Filipino title and ended Creamline’s near-untouchable streak in the conference, leaving fans shocked and the champions humbled.
It was the culmination of a back-and-forth series worthy of the history books. The Angels fired the first warning shot in Game 1 with a stunning five-set triumph, 25-17, 25-20, 18-25, 20-25, 15-10. But Creamline, ever the composed contenders, punched back with a 25-15, 16-25, 25-21, 15-25, 15-9 win in Game 2 to force the do-or-die showdown.
Game 3 was meant to be the coronation of the dynasty. Instead, it became the scene of an uprising.
The Cool Smashers came out swinging, racing to a 15-10 lead in the opening set and giving the sea of pink-clad fans something to cheer about. But momentum proved fickle, and the Angels, galvanized by the composed firepower of Jonah Sabete, MJ Phillips, and Brooke Van Sickle, erased the deficit with a 15-6 run to steal the set and set the tone.
Creamline didn’t fold—they fought. They clawed their way back in the third frame, extending the match and teasing a comeback. But in the fourth set, the Angels slammed the door shut with a flurry of points from Van Sickle, Sabete, Joy Dacoron, and veteran Aiza Maizo-Pontillas. When the dust settled, Petro Gazz stood tall, finally conquering the All-Filipino mountain that had eluded them for so long.
For Creamline, the sting was real.
“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 head coach Sherwin Meneses, who had guided the squad to seven PVL titles and countless final appearances.
“Congrats sa Petro kasi talagang deserve din nila yung championship ngayon — talagang pinagpaguran nila,” he added, his respect for the victors clear.
The loss marks a rare moment of vulnerability for a team that has come to define excellence in Philippine volleyball. Creamline’s ability to sustain its core and elevate each player’s game turned the squad into a near-unstoppable force. But even dynasties must weather storms—and for the Cool Smashers, this one came fast and furious.
There was no shortage of heart in Creamline’s performance. From Jema Galanza’s grit, to Tots Carlos’ tenacity, to Alyssa Valdez’s leadership, the effort was there. But the Angels simply wanted it more. They played like a team with something to prove, a team tired of being second-best.
And prove themselves they did.
Still, the journey is far from over for Creamline. While the gold slipped through their fingers this time, a bigger stage now beckons. The team will represent the Philippines in the AVC Women’s Club Volleyball Championship in Thailand, slated for April 20 to 27.
The preparation begins almost immediately.
“For AVC naman, we have two days na rest then let’s see kung sino yung nasa lineup ng Creamline kasi may mga reinforcement,” Meneses shared, already shifting his focus toward the international competition.
