ILAGAN — Creamline gave an early glimpse of its youth-laden future, and it looked every bit like a winner.
The Cool Smashers opened their 2026 PVL on Tour campaign with a 25-18, 25-23, 16-25, 25-19 victory over Nxled on Wednesday at the Capital Arena behind a rejuvenated lineup.
With Alas Pilipinas stars Jia de Guzman, Bernadeth Pons and Jen Nierva away on national team duty, Creamline hardly lacked reinforcements after using the offseason to infuse youth into what head coach Sherwin Meneses had previously described as an aging core.
Headlining the new additions were lone rookie pick Barbie Jamili, former Cignal standouts Ishie Lalongisip and Erin Pangilinan, and ex-Petro Gazz setter Donnalyn Paralejas. All four saw action under the preseason tour's mandatory 14-player rotation.
"Masaya ako kasi nag-perform ng maganda ‘yung team namin. Kahit ‘yung mga seniors namin ‘di nakalaro, ‘yun naman ‘yung maka-experience sila ng ganitong laro. Magandang laro, so masaya," said Meneses.
Serving some Cool Smashing
The only real threat Creamline faced came late in the second set when Nxled's tandem of MJ Phillips and EJ Laure-Carino whittled a six-point deficit down to just one, 23-24. But just as the Chameleons were poised to extend the frame, Laure-Carino was whistled for a net touch after an attack, handing Creamline a commanding two-set lead.
Even with the Cool Smashers ushering in a younger look, it was veteran Michele Gumabao who carried the scoring load with 18 points built on 16 attacks, a block, and an ace in a vintage outing.
Lorie Bernardo made the most of a rare start by firing 13 points, including the match-clinching kill, on 12 attacks and a block, while Creamline newcomer Lalongisip impressed in her debut with nine points.
Jema Galanza also chipped in eight markers on top of 13 excellent digs.
Nxled, for its part, showed encouraging balance despite missing three-time PVL MVP Brooke Van Sickle, who remains sidelined while recovering from a minor right shoulder tear.
Phillips led the Chameleons with 13 points from the middle, Laure-Carino added 12 points and 14 digs, while Jonah Sabete-Escamillan turned in an all-around effort of 11 points and 11 digs.
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