CREAMLINE opened its chase for a 12th PVL championship with a statement built as much on star power as it was on depth.
The Cool Smashers outlasted Nxled, 25-20, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20, on Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to begin their 2026 PVL Invitational campaign on a high, but the bigger spectacle was the sheer collection of talent on the floor.
It was a rare convergence of some of the best talents Philippine volleyball has to offer, with six former PVL MVPs sharing the court and five in Creamline colors.
Jaja stands tall
Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza and Michele Gumabao already underscored the depth of a roster that has dominated the league for years.
But it was the towering return of Jaja Santiago-Minowa, who had 19 points on 17 attacks, one block and one ace, that ultimately commanded the spotlight.
Galanza backed the star-studded roster with a triple-double of 17 points, 14 digs and 11 receptions. Carlos added 14 points as Valdez chipped in 13 points and 12 receptions.
Kyle Negrito also kept Creamline’s offense humming with 31 excellent sets and six points.
“Masaya kami kahit medyo nag-struggle kami sa third set kasi ‘di rin talaga nagpatalo Nxled. And with Jaja, talagang makakatulong siya at makakatulong kami dahil du’n sa third set, ‘yung familiarity talaga ‘yung medyo kulang pa,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
The Cool Smashers had to withstand late Nxled surges in each of the first two sets, answering both times to secure a 2-0 advantage.
But the Chameleons finally broke through in the third, turning a 20-all deadlock into a 23-21 lead before trading points to 23-all, where an Alyssa Valdez attack error and a Jonah Sabete-Escamillan kill handed Nxled the set.
With the match suddenly within reach for the Chameleons, Santiago-Minowa helped make sure there would be no repeat in the fourth. Creamline closed on a 4-1 run to shut the door on Nxled’s comeback bid and secure the opening-day victory.
The next games on Tuesday will see Creamline face Vietnamese guest team Ho Chi Minh, while Nxled takes on reigning champion PLDT.
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