IT’S a record-extending 20th semifinals appearance for Creamline after a 25-23, 25-20, 16-25, 25-16 play-in finale win over Akari in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the Playtime Filoil Centre.
The 10-time champions made their last shot at a semis berth count, bouncing back from a five-set loss to Cignal in the qualifying round.
Creamline now takes aim at redemption after a shock quarterfinals exit in last year’s Reinforced Conference, which saw the Cool Smashers miss the semifinals for the first time in eight years and 20 conferences.
Alyssa Valdez turned back the clock with another vintage double-double of 20 points and 19 digs along with eight receptions.
Kyle Negrito’s surprise start over Jia de Guzman paid off for Creamline, finishing with 23 excellent sets and six points.
“Na-experience ulit namin ‘yung ganitong labanan at naipanlo, so malaking bonus ‘yun,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
“‘Yung do-or-die games, marami nang napagdaanan na ganun ‘yung Creamline, so tiwala naman ako na sanay sila maglaro sa ganung pressure.”
Bernadeth Pons delivered a 13-point, 17-dig double-double, while Pangs Panaga added 12 markers and Tots Carlos chipped in 10 more.
As expected, the match opened tight between the former title rivals, but Creamline’s championship poise showed late, stringing together three straight points from a 22-all deadlock capped by a Bernadeth Pons kill to take the first set.
The Cool Smashers then seized control early in the second and never let go, with Valdez and Pangs Panaga delivering down the stretch for a commanding 2-0 set lead.
Akari refused to go quietly, grabbing momentum with a late eight-point cushion in the third set behind clutch hits from Eli Soyud and Grethcel Soltones.
But that proved to be its last push as Creamline came out firing in the fourth, racing to a 12-4 start that set the tone for a four-set win and a return to the Final Four.
Ivy Lacsina turned in a 13-point, 24-reception outing in the Chargers' conference-ending loss, while Fifi Sharma added 12 points.
Ced Domingo chipped in 11 against her former club, matching Soyud’s output, as Soltones’ all-around effort of seven points, 18 receptions, and 15 digs went for naught with Akari’s run ending in the play-ins.
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