CREAMLINE's title defense got off to a clean start, but not without a midgame scare from Akari in a 25-18, 25-21, 25-18 sweep in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab leg on Saturday in front of a 19,106-strong SM Seaside Arena crowd.
The Cool Smashers, one of the league’s pioneering clubs, claimed the lone straight-sets win in the league's 10th anniversary season opener, with Alas Pilipinas captain Jia de Guzman also returning to the Creamline lineup.
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Akari threatened to spoil the straight-sets finish in the second frame, stringing together a 9-1 run that turned a 10-point hole into a one-point game.
Creamline, however, found its response through Jema Galanza, who scored two of the team’s last three points to shut down the Chargers’ rally before it could force a more complicated finish.
"Sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam at ang gaan sa puso na lahat kami nag-eenjoy maglaro at lahat kami nagco-contribute. Sana magtuloy-tuloy hanggang sa matapos ‘yung season," Galanza said.
Galanza finished as Creamline’s lone double-digit scorer with 16 points, while also tallying 14 receptions and eight digs. Pangs Panaga chipped in seven points, including five blocks, while Michele Gumabao added six points.
De Guzman, despite seeing limited minutes in her return, dished out 16 excellent sets.
The all-to-play format gave Creamline room to look beyond its usual rotation, but when Akari made its push, the defending champions turned to their proven weapons.
Ivy Lacsina was the only Akari player to reach double figures, finishing with 12 points and seven receptions as the Chargers failed to extend the match.
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