CREAMLINE rewrote history once more, punching a record 15th PVL Finals appearance with a 25-23, 14-25, 25-23, 25-19 win over Farm Fresh in the 2026 All-Filipino Conference semifinals on Wednesday at the Playtime Filoil Centre.
In their second do-or-die game this conference, the Cool Smashers kept their title hopes alive by advancing to their ninth All-Filipino finals while denying the Foxies what would have been a breakthrough finals debut.
Creamline also snapped a three-conference finals drought and now sets its sights on an 11th championship against Cignal, the same team the Cool Smashers last beat for a PVL title in the 2024 Invitationals.
Bernadeth Pons delivered a triple-double of 12 points, 17 digs, and 17 receptions in a vengeful showing after missing their prelims clash due to a minor knee issue.
Tots Carlos came through in the clutch with 15 points and 14 digs, while Jema Galanza and Pangs Panaga added 13 points apiece, with the latter anchoring the stand on the net with six blocks.
Creamline also dominated the non-scoring departments, with Jia De Guzman tallying 26 excellent sets and five points, and Jen Nierva handling 23 receptions.
“‘Yung experience na maglaro ng do-or-die games, ‘di naman lahat napupunta sa ganitong posisyon kaya talagang in-embrace namin ‘yung pressure at blessed kami na nakuha namin ‘yung win,” said head coach Sherwin Meneses.
READ PLDT consoles self with a win over PVL Finals-bound Cignal
A tight opening set could have gone either way before Carlos took charge, scoring the last three points to give Creamline the early edge.
Farm Fresh answered in the second behind Royse Tubino and Mylene Paat, who fueled a surge that built a 10-point cushion to even the match.
The Foxies threatened again in the third, erasing a 14-19 deficit to tie at 19-all, but Michele Gumabao and Galanza steadied Creamline late, with Carlos sealing the set.
Panaga then imposed her presence on defense in the fourth, sparking a late separation before back-to-back Foxies errors handed Creamline the win.
Still, Farm Fresh put up a fight, with Ces Molina posting 19 points, 20 receptions, and 15 digs, and Tubino adding 12 points, 14 digs, and 13 receptions.
Their effort, however, fell short of a finals breakthrough, sending them to the battle for third where they remain in contention for a first PVL podium finish.
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