Quick Read
- Creamline snapped a four-game losing streak against PLDT with a gritty five-set victory to start their semifinal campaign.
- Bernadeth Pons anchored the win with a 28-point triple-double, drawing significant crowd support at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
- PLDT now faces a must-win situation alongside Farm Fresh as both teams sit at 0-1 in the round-robin standings.
PASAY (Azat TV) – Creamline opened its 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference semifinal campaign with a statement victory, outlasting the PLDT High Speed Hitters in a five-set thriller, 22-25, 27-25, 19-25, 28-26, 15-10, on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The win marked a significant turning point for the Cool Smashers, who successfully snapped a four-game losing streak against PLDT dating back to July 2024.
Pons Leads Creamline in Semifinal Opener
Bernadeth Pons delivered a standout performance, recording a monster triple-double with 28 points, 16 excellent digs, and 22 excellent receptions. Her versatility proved essential as Creamline faced a desperate need to recover from a slow start. The victory places the Cool Smashers in a tie with Cignal at the top of the semifinals standings with a 1-0 record, heightening the stakes for their upcoming clash on Tuesday.
Clutch Execution Under Pressure
The match turned on the Cool Smashers’ ability to defend against three match points in the fourth set. Head coach Sherwin Meneses credited the team’s championship pedigree for the resurgence, noting that the late-game composure allowed them to force a deciding fifth set. Jema Galanza and Tots Carlos provided the offensive spark, while the team’s combined 5-0 run early in the final set effectively dismantled PLDT’s momentum.
Stakes for PLDT and Future Matchups
For PLDT, the loss creates an immediate must-win scenario as they fall to a 0-1 record alongside Farm Fresh. Despite a career-high 23-point effort from rookie Alleiah Malaluan and a strong showing from Savannah Davison, the High Speed Hitters could not close out the match during their fourth-set opportunities. PLDT now looks to recover against Farm Fresh, while Creamline prepares for a pivotal match against Cignal to solidify their path to the Finals.
The ability of Creamline to overcome a four-game losing streak against a high-caliber opponent like PLDT underscores the tactical adjustments made by coach Meneses, specifically utilizing bench depth and defensive discipline to neutralize PLDT’s late-game offensive surges in the high-pressure semifinal environment.