CREAMLINE broke through at last, ending its PLDT skid with a 22-25, 27-25, 19-25, 28-26, 15-10 win in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Cool Smashers halted a five-game head-to-head slide, with their previous win over PLDT dating back to November 18, 2023 in the All-Filipino prelims.
More importantly, Creamline now has inside track in its push for a ninth straight All-Filipino finals berth.
Bernadeth Pons proved she’s firmly in the MVP conversation, erupting for a 28-point, 22-reception double-double.
"Sobrang morale-booster itong game na 'to para sa amin kasi nga, semis na 'to and sobrang importante talaga na maka-una kami ng panalo," said Pons.
"Pero sabi nga ni Coach [Sherwin Meneses], hindi pa kami tapos. Meron pa kaming mga susunod na laban."
Jema Galanza added 17 points, including four in Creamline’s late fifth-set push, while Alyssa Valdez chipped in 10 despite sitting out the last two sets.
Even off the bench, Jia de Guzman still led the playmaking with 20 excellent sets.
Classic clash of champions
A nip-and-tuck opening set saw Savi Davison fire PLDT to set point, and not even a late Pons surge could save Creamline as Davison mixed in crafty drop balls to break down the defense.
Creamline then fell into a 3-9 hole in the second, but Galanza willed the Cool Smashers back and pushed them to set point at 24-23. Three set points later, an Alleiah Malaluan attack error finally leveled the match.
PLDT quickly regrouped, with Davison getting help from Malaluan and Kianna Dy to pound Creamline and regain the edge.
When things tightened in the fourth, Galanza helped erase three PLDT match points before Davison’s attack went long to force a decider.
Two runs defined Set 5, Creamline’s 5-1 burst for a 10-4 lead and PLDT’s answer to trim it to 10-12. Pangs Panaga and Pons then delivered the go-ahead push, with Creamline sealing it off another Davison error.
Malaluan erupted for a career-best triple-double of 23 points, 26 receptions, and 11 digs, while Davison added 22 points and 14 receptions.
Dy chipped in 16 and Majoy Baron had 10 in the loss that dropped PLDT to 0-1 to start the semifinals.
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