THE PVL semifinals is still Creamline’s playground.
The Cool Smashers clinched the last semis berth at Farm Fresh’s expense, 25-19, 25-19, 26-24, in the 2025 PVL on Tour quarterfinals on Saturday at the Philsports Arena.
Creamline’s perfect semis appearance record now extends to 18 straight tournaments.
It remains the only team in PVL history to have never missed the Final Four since the club and league’s inception in 2017.
And in 17 prior PVL conferences, Creamline has never finished outside the podium places.
The 10-time PVL champions will face a stern test in the semis against an undefeated PLDT side that has dropped just one set in six consecutive preseason wins.
Alyssa Valdez and Jema Galanza took control of both Creamline's offense and defense. The veteran skipper landed 12 points and nine recpetions, while the former PVL MVP posted 10 points and six digs.
"Talagang ngayong PVL season, I think last conference pa lang talaga. lahat ng teams nag-improve, lumalaban talaga, so kami, mas nagfofocus kami dun sa ilalaro namin," said Galanza.
"'Yung mga talo or mistakes namin nung nagkaraan, ganun talaga, may mga pagkakamali pero ang importante na naaayos namin. I think mas okay 'yung game namin and sana madali namin sa semifinals."
But it was reigning Invitational Conference MVP Michele Gumabao topped the scoresheets for the Cool Smashers with 15 points, enough to negate Trisha Tubu's 20-piece for the Foxies.
Well-rested Creamline a different beast
The Cool Smashers had a 19-day break since beating Chery Tiggo to close out the preliminary round on July 20 in Passi City, Iloilo.
A recharged champion side proved deadly off the bat as it fired a 7-0 start to its quarterfinals duel with Farm Fresh and led by as much as eight.
Another thunderous Cool Smashers start struck the Foxies when it went on an 11-4 tear and cruised to a quick two sets to none lead.
The match took a turn in the endgame when Farm Fresh saved three match points from 21-24 down, only for Michele Gumabao's power hit and Pangs Panaga's match-clinching ace to seal Creamline's swift entry to the semifinals.
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