Booted out early in the playoffs for the first time since joining the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) in 2017, dethroned Creamline can only hope that all the lessons in its debacle this season will ignite its burning desire for redemption next year.

The Cool Smashers not only lost the only remaining crown on their heads but also witnessed their league record 19 straight podium finishes crumble in the season-ending 2025 Reinforced Conference.

Frustrated Creamline and its legion of fans could only watch in horror as the Myla Pablo-led Petro Gazz ended its reign in the import-laden conference with a 25-23, 25-19, 16-25, 25-14, decision in the knockout quarterfinal on Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Reduced to tears, the Cool Smashers could only look back at what went wrong in their campaign just a year after completing a historic grand slam.

There is also the question about the future of the bemedalled franchise, as some players with expiring contracts may be looking at other options, while others are contemplating retirement.

But what’s more challenging is the fact that the team has never experienced closing a tournament empty-handed.

“Reality is, this is the first time for Creamline to experience not reaching the semifinals,” head coach Sherwin Meneses said.

“So, how we will bounce back from this will depend on the attitude and resolve of the players in accepting this reality. But we still have a lot of time to rebound from this.”

The Cool Smashers completed a triple crown in the previous season but lost each one by one this year.

Despite dealing with injuries and the absence of its national team players, Creamline reached the All-Filipino Conference finals. Petro Gazz, however, spoiled its six-peat bid.