CREAMLINE kept hold of the third-longest win streak in league history by dispatching title rival Cignal, 25-19, 26-24, 23-25, 23-25, 15-9, in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at the Philsports Arena.
Eight of the last 13 head-to-head matches between the two title protagonists have now been won by the Cool Smashers.
Moreover, Cignal has never won a five-setter against Creamline in five previous occasions.
In their first meeting since a five-set classic in the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference finals, Creamline’s repeat win extends its unbeaten run to seven in a row this conference.
The defending champions have now gone 17 games without a loss since August in last year’s import-laden play.
Reigning Reinforced Conference MVP Bernadeth Pons had herself a night with 27 points on 24 attacks, two aces and one block along with 14 digs.
The HD Spikers' new scoring quartet took charge in yet another valiant effort that fell short, with Vanie Gandler's 21-point, 12-reception night and rookie Ishie Lalongisip's career-high 19-piece all going for naught.
Fresh as can be in five sets
Creamline hasn't been tamed in its two five-setters this conference, let alone all five times it went the distance against Cignal in the last three years.
It's as if the fatigue of four full-length sets prior is always erased when the Cool Smashers enter a fifth-set tiebreak.
For Pons, Creamline's lone goal was to recharge and fire back after losing two straight sets to Cignal.
"Nu'ng fifth set, 'di na namin inisip na down two sets kami. Parang zero-zero na kasi. Ang ganda lang nu'ng fifth set kasi parang bumalik 'yung energy ng team, kasi nawala talaga nung third and fourth set," said Pons.
"Naging matamlay pero nung fifth set, sobrang ganda at ang saya lang sa loob na naka-recover kami sa third and fourth sets."
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