SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela — While Capital1 brought the fight, Creamline brought the championship pedigree.
Just when the Solar Spikers threatened to turn a routine evening into a genuine upset bid, the Cool Smashers showed why experience remains a formidable weapon, surviving a second-set scare to score a 25-18, 31-29, 25-16 victory in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series on Thursday at the Santiago Sports Arena.
In the end, it was Creamline’s veteran Big 3 of Alyssa Valdez, Jema Galanza, and Tots Carlos that had the brighter shine up north, holding their ground against Capital1’s emerging triumvirate of Bella Belen, Vanie Gandler, and Erika Santos.
The Cool Smashers made quick work of the opening set, but the Solar Spikers refused to go quietly, transforming the contest into a test of nerve and composure.
Down 9-19 in the second, Capital1 looked buried. Instead, the Solar Spikers mounted a stunning comeback, chipping away at Creamline’s commanding cushion before taking a shock 22-21 lead that suddenly put the defending contenders on the back foot.
From there, every point became a battle of wills as Creamline needed seven set points to finally close out the extended frame, with Galanza accounting for six points in the set, including the decisive hit that ended Capital1’s resistance en route to a lopsided Set 3 finish.
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