Creamline held its nerve when it mattered most, turning back a gritty Choco Mucho side in straight sets, 25-17, 25-17, 25-23, to punch its ticket to the PVL Reinforced Conference quarterfinals Thursday (November 13) night at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Cool Smashers looked poised for another routine win after controlling the first two sets, but the Flying Titans fought back with pride and urgency in the third. Behind Royse Tubino and Isa Molde, Choco Mucho briefly threatened to extend the match before Creamline’s trademark composure kicked in.

Cool Smashers show championship poise

Tubino’s backrow strike pushed Choco Mucho ahead, 23-22, but Creamline’s veterans responded in kind. Coco Schwan tied the score with a decisive kill before Michele Gumabao delivered a powerful spike that glanced off Thang Ponce’s arms. Moments later, Creamline’s net defense shut down Molde’s final attack to complete the one-hour, 18-minute sweep and seal its quarterfinal slot.

Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses credited his team’s all-around effort, praising the contributions from both starters and bench players. “Nag-perform at nag-respond yung team sa game ngayon, especially yung outside hitters namin,” Meneses said. “Teamwork talaga yung nagpanalo sa amin today.”

Setter Kyle Negrito, who dished out 18 excellent sets to earn Best Player of the Game honors, said the team knew it couldn’t afford to relax. “Sa mga natitirang laro, hindi puwedeng magpabaya,” Negrito said. “Composure talaga ang kailangan, lalo na sa crucial points.”

Balanced attack leads the way

Schwan led Creamline’s balanced offense with 15 points, while Gumabao added nine. Tots Carlos, Alyssa Valdez, Pangs Panaga, Sheen Toring, and Lorie Bernardo combined for 24 markers, showcasing the Cool Smashers’ depth.

Creamline asserted control early, shaking off a slow start in the first set to dominate behind crisp ball movement and unrelenting pressure. The defending champions converted seven more attacks than Choco Mucho while capitalizing on their opponent’s errors to build an eight-point cushion. Valdez’s emphatic kill sealed the opening frame, setting the tone for the match.

Set 2 followed the same script, with Creamline displaying superior execution and communication. The Cool Smashers’ seamless transitions and efficient defense neutralized Choco Mucho’s rhythm, as the Flying Titans struggled with service errors and rushed hits. Bernardo’s off-the-block finish closed another commanding set for the Cool Smashers.

Though Choco Mucho found late energy through Smith and Molde, Creamline’s system and composure proved too steady. The victory lifted the Cool Smashers to 5-2, while Choco Mucho exited with a 2-5 record after its fourth straight defeat.

Up next, Creamline faces a surging Cignal squad on Tuesday in what could be a preview of a playoff showdown.