The Creamline Cool Smashers showed their championship pedigree Friday, August 29, night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, sweeping ZUS Coffee in straight sets, 25-15, 25-18, 25-21, to earn another shot at a podium finish in the PVL Invitational Conference. With precision, poise, and depth, the 10-time champions asserted control early and weathered a late challenge to set up a bronze medal showdown with rivals Chery Tiggo.

Creamline’s dominance was on full display from the opening serve. Out-blocking ZUS Coffee 8-2 in the first set, the Cool Smashers’ defensive wall suffocated the Thunderbelles’ offense and forced hurried attempts that rarely pierced their backline. With Kyle Negrito orchestrating the offense, Alyssa Valdez, Michele Gumabao, Jema Galanza, and Lorie Bernardo took turns punishing the defense with sharp, well-timed attacks.

ZUS Coffee refused to fold quietly in the third set, pushing Creamline in a spirited exchange. AC Miner’s late block trimmed the deficit to 21-23, but Galanza had already taken over with three clutch kills to steady the Cool Smashers. Then, seldom-used veteran Rose Vargas rose to the occasion, scoring a key point for match point before sealing the deal with a thunderous hit at the end of the longest rally of the night.

Galanza shines, Creamline regroups

Galanza finished with 18 points along with 13 receptions and 11 digs, earning Best Player of the Game honors. Reflecting on the victory, she admitted the sweep was about more than just numbers — it was about building momentum after missing another Finals opportunity.

“This was our last game in the prelims, so dapat ibigay lang namin ang best namin for the momentum for the battle for third,” Galanza said. “Wake-up call siya para sa amin. Para ma-boost pa lalo kami sa mga next tournaments at ma-improve kung ano pa dapat i-improve sa team.”

Valdez and Gumabao added nine points apiece, Paneng Panaga chipped in seven, while Toring, Negrito, and Bernardo combined for 16 markers. Creamline’s 43-28 edge in attacks and 14 blocks proved too much for ZUS Coffee to overcome.

Bronze medal showdown vs Chery Tiggo

The sweep secured Creamline a 2-3 finish in the preliminaries and a bronze medal clash against Chery Tiggo, which ended with a 3-2 record. The Crossovers had denied the Cool Smashers a Finals berth with a gritty five-set win in the preliminaries, setting the stage for a high-stakes rematch with pride and redemption on the line.

For ZUS Coffee, the loss capped a difficult campaign at 0-5. Despite the efforts of Miner, who led with 15 points, along with Kate Santiago, Riza Nogales, Fiola Ceballos, and Wielyn Estoque, the Thunderbelles could not bridge the gap in firepower and experience.

Creamline, meanwhile, kept their medal streak alive with a no-nonsense performance, determined not to leave empty-handed. And while the championship slipped away, the bronze medal duel with Chery Tiggo offers them one last chance at redemption — and the chance to remind the league why the Cool Smashers remain one of its most enduring contenders.