CREAMLINE shrugged off a second-set hiccup to repulse Akari, 27-25, 22-25, 25-19, 25-18, in the Vigan leg finale of the 2025 PVL on Tour on Monday at the Chavit Coliseum.
The Cool Smashers scored a repeat win over the Chargers in Ilocos Sur, seven months since sweeping the same team in Candon City during the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
READ: Creamline dominates Capital1 in de Brito's PVL on Tour debut
This time, at least, Akari offered more resistance, even winning the second set before fading to its second loss in as many games in the first salvo of the offseason tournament.
Creamline matched the 2-0 stint of Cignal in Vigan. However, the HD Spikers wrested the No. 1 seed for the time being by virtue of picking up two straight-set wins.
Pool A's top two undefeated teams will duke it out in a rematch of the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference finals on July 1, 6:30 p.m. at the Playtime FilOil Centre.
Akari fought back from a 17-22 decifict to force a 24-all deadlock in the first set. Grethcel Soltones even took the Chargers to set point with an off-the-block hit.
Creamline, however, responded with three straight points from Jema Galanza, Kyle Negrito and an attack error from Akari sophomore winger Steph Bustrillo.
Backed by Akari’s ace scorers Ivy Lacsina and Eli Soyud, Soltones led the Chargers’ second-set fightback to draw level with the Cool Smashers.
From there, Creamline regained control with a pair of one-sided set wins in Sets 3 and 4. It even led by as much as eight in the final frame - their biggest lead of the match - to close out the Vigan leg unscathed.
Big numbers across the board
Alyssa Valdez led by example for the Cool Smashers with 16 points and 18 receptions.
Jema Galanza registered the first triple-double of the PVL on Tour with 12 points, 18 digs and 10 receptions
Also hitting double figures are rookie Sheena Toring with 10 markers in just her second PVL game and Michele Gumabao with 18 points.
Making all these staggering numbers possible was Kyle Negrito's 40 excellent sets along with five aces.
Despite leaving Vigan winless, Soltones continued to lead the Chargers in scoring with 18 points. Eli Soyud posted 11 points and 10 digs while Ivy Lacsina pitched in seven markers and eight receptions.
Kamille Cal showcased her readiness to inherit now-team manager Mich Cobb's lead setter role with 33 excellent sets as Dani Ravena also stepped up on defense with a 13-dig, 10-reception double-double.
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