CREAMLINE closed out the 2025 PVL Invitational preliminaries with a 25-15, 25-18, 25-21 win over ZUS Coffee on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Now bound for the bronze-medal game against Chery Tiggo, the Cool Smashers avoided what would’ve been the first three-game losing streak in their eight-year franchise history.
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Creamline atoned for two tough losses to Chery Tiggo and Kobe Shinwa by gaining a measure of revenge on a ZUS Coffee side that beat the Cool Smashers in five sets back in preseason play last July.
Jema Galanza took charge for the Cool Smashers with her third-straight triple-double of 18 points, 13 receptions and 11 digs.
She had at least a double-double in all four of their preliminary-round matches.
Veteran aces Alyssa Valdez and reigning Invitational MVP Michele Gumabao added nine points each.
The skid-busting win gives the 10-time PVL champions a late boost in their bid to extend their indubitable record of never missing the podium in all of the league’s 18 tournaments since 2017.
On the flip side, ZUS Coffee bowed out of its PVL Invitational debut without its core players and also without a win in five games.
Rookie winger AC Miner paced the Thunderbelles with 15 points.
Eyes on the bronze
Against reigning preseason silver medalist Chery Tiggo, the seven-time champion coach isn't expecting a cakewalk in the slightest.
"Hindi ganun kadali pero ita-try namin na mag-podium ulit this Invitational. Balik muna kami sa training bukas then on Sunday’s game, magiging maganda yung laban kasi yung Chery hindi rin naman yan magpapatalo basta-basta," Meneses said.
"Ibibigay lang namin yung best ng team para makapodium ulit, pagtatrabahuhan namin."
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