Creamline clobbers Capital1

Creamline’s chemistry, composure and championship poise bested the firepower of a young Capital1 side led by rising star Bella Belen.

Showing grace under pressure in the second and third sets, the Cool Smashers stave off the Solar Spikers in a rousing, 25-18, 26-24, 25-20, sweep for a third straight win in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

The veteran troika of Tots Carlos, Bernadeth Pons and Jema Galanza did the damage on offense and were the catalyst of the 10-time champion club’s comebacks from multiple deficits in the last two frames.

“Knowing Capital1 with Bella on their side, they won’t give up without a fight. We can’t let our guards down even by a single point. The team responded well in the second set that’ why we recovered,” said Cool Smashers head coach Sherwin Meneses, who faced his former college player for the first time.   

“Our senior players really delivered especially the crucial points.”

Carlos finished with 15 points, all from kills, and added 10 digs for the Cool Smashers, who improved to a 3-1 win-loss record tied with idle Cignal and Nxled.

Pons had 14 points off 12 attacks, one kill block and an ace on top of 10 excellent receptions while Galanza posted 13 points, 10 receptions and five digs. 

Down 9-13 in the third set, the Cool Smashers unleashed a huge 11-2 run capped by a De Guzman service ace for a 20-15 advantage. Creamline kept its distance from there before Carlos hit the finishing blow.  

Pang Panaga had eight points while setter Jia Morado-de Guzman dished out 22 excellent sets to help the Cool Smashers score 49 attack points in the one-hour, 47-minute encounter.

The Cool Smashers crawled from a four-point deficit in the closing stretch of the second set as Galanza saved a set point, 24-24. Pons pounded a kill before Solar Spikers’ winger Leila Cruz sent her attack long as Creamline salvaged the frame for a 2-0 match lead.

Belen was the lone Capital1 player in double figures with 26 points on 24 kills, one ace and one kill block to go along with nine digs.