Nothing gets the heart racing like a five-set volleyball thriller — and Creamline’s latest performance totally delivered. In a match that saw grit, guts, and some serious girl power, the Creamline Cool Smashers bounced back from the brink to edge out Cignal in a nail-biting 22-25, 25-17, 22-25, 25-11, 15-8 victory at the PVL Invitational opener in Philsports Arena.
This wasn’t just volleyball. This was a showcase of pure determination — and a little MVP magic.
A Familiar Rivalry, a Familiar Result
If you’ve been following PVL, you probably already know that whenever Creamline and Cignal square off, sparks fly. Their recent bronze medal clash in the PVL on Tour? Creamline swept that one, too. So when they crossed paths again, fans knew they were in for a battle.
And this time, it went the distance.
After trailing 1-2 in sets, Creamline turned the tide with pure hustle and heart. What’s more impressive? They did it with the same fire that’s kept them on the podium an incredible 18 times in a row.
Michele Gumabao: Queen of the Comeback
Let’s talk about Michele Gumabao for a second. The reigning Invitational MVP was an absolute force of nature on the court. With 22 points and 15 digs, she wasn’t just playing — she was leading.
In the fifth set alone, Gumabao dropped five clutch points, pushing Creamline to a 12-6 lead that Cignal just couldn’t claw back from.
And guess who nailed match point? That would be Jema Galanza, who ended the night with 18 points and 17 excellent receptions. Talk about doing it all!
Creamline Cool Smashers shine
All About Experience and Heart
According to Coach Sherwin Meneses, Creamline’s strength lies in one word: experience.
“I think our biggest advantage was the team’s experience,” said Meneses. “It really helped us, especially in drawn-out matches like this. It was truly a total team effort.”
And it’s not just experience — it’s mindset. Instead of getting overwhelmed by Cignal’s firepower, the Cool Smashers focused on one thing: taking it point by point, giving 110% every time. Sounds simple, but that mental toughness made all the difference.
Team Stats That Tell the Story
Let’s break down some of the key contributions across the squad:
- 🏐 Alyssa Valdez: 11 points, 14 receptions, 12 digs — basically everywhere on the court!
- 🧠 Kyle Negrito: 32 excellent sets and even threw in a surprise spike for good measure.
- 💥 Creamline’s 4th set? A jaw-dropping 25-11 domination that completely flipped the momentum.
Meanwhile, Cignal’s Heather Guino-o gave everything she had with 21 points and 12 digs, and Erika Santos — MVP of the PVL on Tour — was contained to just 11 points off a 10-for-40 clip. Tough night.
What’s Next for the Cool Smashers?
This win puts Creamline firmly in the hunt, leveling their record to 1-1 in the Invitational. Up next, a clash on Saturday with Chery Tiggo — another big test and another chance to flex their championship pedigree.
Cignal, now at 0-2, will be gunning for a much-needed victory against PLDT.
Safe to say, the drama’s just getting started.
At the end of the day, this match was a perfect snapshot of why we love volleyball: the intensity, the hustle, the never-give-up moments, and that sweet, sweet team spirit. Hats off to Creamline for reminding us why they’re one of the league’s most consistent and exciting squads to watch.
Let’s see if they can keep the fire burning. 🔥
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📸 Credit: MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
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