MANILA –Creamline clinched its seventh crown in a stunning victory over Choco Mucho, captivating a record crowd with a 22-25, 25-20, 29-27, 24-26, 15-12 triumph.
Coach Sherwin Meneses’ strategic use of bench players showcased Creamline’s depth and strength, securing another All-Filipino crown through a title sweep.
Despite the Flying Titans’ initial lead, Cool Smashers’ resilience, led by key players like Michele Gumabao, Pangs Panaga, and Alyssa Valdez, proved pivotal, dashing the opponents’ hopes and extending Creamline’s dominance in their 11 face-offs.
The monumental victory unfolded in front of a historic crowd of 24,459 fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, surpassing previous volleyball attendance records.
“It’s the love for each other. Ayaw naming masayang ang pagod namin,” said a teary-eyed Jema Galanza, who clinched game’s top honors with a 21-point performance. “Our mindset was to play it one point at a time, hindi nakukuha sa mabilisan ang lahat.”
Truly, the Cool Smashers worked for every play and for every point to get back into the match with Valdez bucking a couple of foiled attacks with three straight hits and Risa Sato scoring on a quick attack and Galanza adding two more hits to force an 8-all count in the fifth.
But it was all worth the challenge as Creamline completed its amazing 15-game sweep of the season-ending conference, their second All-Filipino crown in the season as the Cool Smashers added another chapter to the franchise’s storied success in women’s volley.
It was Creamline’s seventh PVL championship – and a second straight All-Filipino feat after turning back Petro Gazz in sudden death last March. More importantly, its romp mirrored the team’s Open Conference successful title-retention drive in 2019 where the Cool Smashers won all their 20 games.
Creamline also scored a perfect campaign in the last year’s Open Conference.
Tots Carlos topscored for Creamline with 26 points while Pons and Panaga came up with 14 and 11 points, respectively.
Valdez wound up with eight markers and Gumabao pumped in five clutch points and Lorie Roberto added four points in the two-hour, 40-minute victory that also dashed Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin’s hopes for a double after steering National U to a stirring victory over fancied Cignal in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference finals last Friday.
Rondina sizzled with a personal-high 33 points, including 29 on attacks, and went on to capture the MVP honors, while Maddie Madayag and Kat Tolentino finished with 16 and 15 points, respectively. Bea de Leon, Caitlyn Viray and Arocha scored six points apiece.
(AI/MNM)
MANILA — Exhibiting championship poise and seasoned prowess, Creamline showcased dominance against Choco Mucho in a thrilling four-set encounter (25-23, 19-25, 26-24, 25-22), moving one step closer to a potential Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference sweep.
The Cool Smashers, with six championships in 10 finals appearances, displayed an insurmountable level of experience, mirroring their flawless 2019 PVL Open campaign.
Coach Sherwin Meneses expressed satisfaction with the team effort, acknowledging the formidable challenge posed by Choco Mucho. As they gear up for Game 2, Meneses emphasized the need to stay focused and continue their hard work.
Alyssa Valdez played a pivotal role in a nail-biting third set comeback, while Michele Gumabao and Bernadette Pons orchestrated a stirring rally in the fourth.
The Cool Smashers relied on their championship mentality to secure crucial moments and frustrate Choco Mucho, making its first PVL finals appearance in eight conferences.
The team, elated by the victory, credited the fans and their supportive bosses. Despite the joy, the players recognize the need to continue working hard to achieve their goals.
Kyle Negrito’s stellar performance in her duel with Deanna Wong showcased the Cool Smashers’ strategic adaptability. The team’s resilience was evident as they faced a formidable opponent in a sibling matchup filled with spectacular plays and heightened drama.
Creamline, led by Valdez, Gumabao, and Negrito, celebrated not just a victory but a testament to their championship experience—a blend of skills, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of volleyball excellence.
The Cool Smashers now aim for the clincher in the upcoming match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday at 6 p.m.
(ai/mmm)
Games Thursday:
(Mall of Asia Arena)
4 p.m. – Chery Tiggo vs Cignal (3rd Place)
6 p.m. – Creamline vs Choco Mucho (Finals)
MANILA — Since joining the Premier Volleyball League in 2019, Choco Mucho has yet to secure a victory against sister team Creamline in their nine encounters.
However, for Sisi Rondina, a crucial component of the Flying Titans’ championship aspirations, conquering the Cool Smashers is within reach as long as unity prevails.
Rondina emphasized, “I repeatedly say, that success is achieved through hard work, genuine determination, perseverance, and a collective desire. If we truly want it, we can strengthen our resolve with patience and dedication.”
Entering the Second All-Filipino Conference Finals as heavy underdogs, Choco Mucho faces Creamline in a best-of-three series starting today, expecting a substantial crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The championship opener kicks off at 6 p.m., following the third-place series between Cignal and Chery Tiggo at 4 p.m.
As Finals debutants, the Flying Titans guarantee their first podium finish, contrasting with the seasoned Cool Smashers, who have reached the championship round 10 times, clinching victory in six instances.
Their lone meeting in the season-ending tournament saw Creamline prevailing over Choco Mucho, 25-18, 25-16, 24-26, 25-21.
Despite the setback, the Flying Titans bounced back with a 10-game winning streak before facing a semifinal challenge against the HD Spikers.
Choco Mucho ultimately secured victory, including a Tuesday night triumph over Cignal, setting the stage for their first-ever title duel with Creamline.
While the Cool Smashers maintained dominance with an unbeaten run in the preliminaries and a set-free semis sweep of the Crossovers, Rondina dismisses statistics, asserting, “Creamline never backs down, but we’ll showcase what we’ve learned, how we’ve improved, and what we’re capable of.”
Acknowledging the pivotal role of Deanna Wong, who has forged strong connections with Rondina and Kat Tolentino, the Flying Titans gear up for a challenging championship round against the formidable Cool Smashers.
Alyssa Valdez regained her form after an injury that sidelined her late last year. Bernadette Pons, Rondina’s erstwhile teammate in the national beach volleyball team, has proved to be a reliable hitter coming off the bench.
What’s amazing for the Cool Smashers is they reached this far even without Jia de Guzman and Ced Domingo, who are currently plying their wares overseas.
“We’ve been through a lot without ate Jia and Celine,” said Tots Carlos, one of the Creamline’s main offensive weapons. “But we’re pleased we’re here (in the Finals). Yung collective effort ng team maganda yung kinalabasan and also we’re just happy na si Kyle (Negrito) nag-step up din sa game and she knows what to do.”
“Masaya kami kasi pasok na kami sa Finals but yun nga. di pa dun nagtatapos one game at a time, one-point at a time,” she added.
(ai/mnm)
Games Saturday
(Philsports Arena)
4 p.m. – Choco Mucho vs Cignal
6 p.m. – Creamline vs Chery Tiggo
MANILA — In a commanding performance, Creamline exhibited a volleyball masterclass against Chery Tiggo, securing a convincing victory with set scores of 25-18, 27-25, 25-22.
This triumph positions the Cool Smashers on the brink of securing a coveted spot in the Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference Finals, a testament to their unbeaten record of 12 matches.
The Cool Smashers showcased remarkable resiliency, particularly in the extended second set, quashing any hopes of a comeback by the Crossovers and decisively clinching the semifinal opener.
Their pursuit of a 10th championship appearance overall intensifies as they gear up for Game 2 scheduled at 6 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday).
Addressing the upcoming challenge, Cool Smashers coach Sherwin Meneses emphasized the team’s focus on continuous improvement.
“Siyempre, hindi pa tapos ang laban. Kailangan pa namin ng one game para makapasok sa Finals. Training muna kami tomorrow (today) then tignan muna yung mga lapses namin para maganda pa ang ilalaro namin,” said Meneses.
In a notable turn of events for the season-ending tournament, Creamline’s trio of Jema Galanza, Tots Carlos, and Alyssa Valdez delivered standout performances.
Galanza led the charge with 17 points, showcasing 16-of-30 attacks, along with nine receptions and seven digs.
Carlos contributed 15 points and displayed remarkable defensive prowess with 12 digs, while Valdez, in her best game of the conference, secured 12 crucial points, especially in the second set.
Reflecting on the intense matchup, Valdez acknowledged the challenging competition from Chery Tiggo.
“We all know Chery Tiggo will give us a good fight talaga. So every point we will have to work hard talaga so iyon ang naka-mindset sa amin,” said Valdez.
She also expressed gratitude for securing the pivotal second set, deeming it “very crucial.”
Galanza, humble in victory, attributed her stellar performance to the collective efforts of her teammates. “Siguro nagawa yung ganoong laro ko dahil sa mga teammates ko. Kasi tinutulungan po talaga nila talaga ako,” said Galanza.
Kyle Negrito’s precision in distributing plays for the Cool Smashers was evident with 23 excellent sets. On the opposing side, Eya Laure led the Crossovers with 17 points, supported by Mylene Paat and Cza Carandang, each contributing nine points.
Chery Tiggo, ranked fourth in the preliminary round, faces an uphill battle, having now suffered three consecutive losses.
(ai/mnm)
Standings W L
*Creamline 8 0
*Choco Mucho 8 1
*Chery Tiggo 8 1
Cignal 7 3
PetroGazz 6 4
PLDT 5 4
Akari 5 5
F2 Logistics 4 6
Nxled 3 7
Farm Fresh 1 8
Galeries Tower 0 8
Gerflor 0 8
*semifinals
Games today
(Philsports Arena)
2 p.m. – Farm Fresh vs Galeries Tower
4 p.m. – Choco Mucho vs Gerflor
6 p.m. – Creamline vs Chery Tiggo
MANILA — In a highly-anticipated face-off at the Philsports Arena, Creamline and Chery Tiggo are set to battle it out in a crucial Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference showdown.
The stakes are high, with both teams eyeing a potential encounter in the Final Four or even the season-ending conference finals.
Creamline, currently unbeaten in eight games, is determined to extend their winning streak, while Chery Tiggo, riding a seven-game winning run marked by back-to-back five-set victories, aims to carry their momentum into the semifinals.
The clash promises intense action, as both teams vie for pride in a match where only rankings are left to be determined.
With Choco Mucho securing a spot in the Final Four, the battle for the last spot is heating up among Cignal (7-3), PetroGazz (6-4), and PLDT (5-4).
The HD Spikers have the inside track, with a match against winless Gerflor as their final preliminary round hurdle on Dec. 5.
However, a surprising turn of events could lead to a scramble, especially with the High-Speed Hitters and the Angels poised to face off on the same day.
Despite Creamline’s flawless record, team captain Alyssa Valdez emphasizes the need for continuous hard work, acknowledging areas for improvement.
Michele Gumabao’s consistent performance, alongside contributions from Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza, has kept the Cool Smashers at the top of the standings, with Valdez providing leadership on and off the court.
The spotlight will also be on Kyle Negrito and Risa Sato, who stepped into key roles in the absence of Jia de Guzman and Ced Domingo.
As the teams gear up for this marquee matchup, Coach Kungfu Reyes, at the helm of the Crossovers, emphasizes the importance of building the team’s character and maintaining a never-say-die attitude—a crucial mindset for the upcoming pressure-packed semifinals.
Meanwhile, Choco Mucho, which is tied with Chery Tiggo in second place at 8-1, shoots to stretch its winning run to nine, as the Flying Titans take on the Defenders at 4 p.m.
Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsurunin, meanwhile, has shown complete trust in his players, allowing the Flying Titans to stage comebacks without timeouts during their recent matches.
“Sobrang tiwala ako sa lahat ng players ko kaya kahit down kami, never akong nag-time out o i-pressure sila para masabi ko kung ano naging problema,” said Alinsunurin.
It worked as Choco Mucho fought back from 1-2 set down to edge F2 Logistics in the same five-set fashion they toppled Cignal last Nov. 21.
Meanwhile, Farm Fresh and Galeries Towers usher in the triple-bill as they collide at 2 p.m. in a duel of also-ran teams with the Foxies looking to nail their second win in 10 games and the Highrisers going all-out to score the elusive victories after eight losses. (ai/mnm)
Games tomorrow:
(Philsports Arena)
2 p.m. – Cignal vs Nxled
4 p.m. – Akari vs PetroGazz
6 p.m. – Chery Tiggo vs F2 Logistics
MANILA — Creamline faced some tense moments in the first and third sets but managed to triumph over Nxled with scores of 25-23, 25-16, 25-21, extending their flawless record to eight matches in the Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena.
Jema Galanza contributed 14 points, including consecutive service aces that concluded the Cool Smashers’ straight-set victory over the Chameleons, virtually securing their spot in the semifinals.
“Lumalaban talaga yung Nxled, so naka-adjust agad yung player namin, lalo na yung sa first set. So siyempre, medyo senior yung team namin, kaya nilang mag-adjust talaga. Naka-recover kami doon sa first set,” shared Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses.
In an earlier match, Akari kept their slim semifinal hopes alive by sweeping Galeries Towers with scores of 25-14, 25-21, 25-19.
Galanza, who also recorded nine receptions and eight digs, expressed satisfaction that her team demonstrated remarkable composure to rectify their lapses in the match. This experience serves as a learning curve for the Cool Smashers as they approach their last three assignments.
“Kahit may pagkukulang, nakita naman din talaga kung gaano ka-solid ang team kasi talaga nagtiyaga kami sa first set. Doon kami talaga nasubok kasi madami pang games na ganoon ang mangyayari,” said Galanza.
“Thankful pa rin kami sa ganoong pangyayari kasi nakita namin kung ano ang kaya naming gawin,” she added.
Tots Carlos added 12 points, while Michele Gumabao went 12-of-23 spikes for Creamline, which next face Chery Tiggo on Tuesday.
The Chameleons, who drew 14 points and 12 receptions from Jho Maraguinot, fell to 3-6.
Fifi Sharma had 10-of-17 attacks and two blocks to finish with 12 points while Faith Nisperos also logged 12 points and collected nine digs for the Chargers.
Erika Raagas scored three of her nine points from Akari and had 10 receptions while Dindin Santiago-Manabat also had nine points, including two service aces.
The Chargers’ semifinals fate is not entirely in their hands.
Akari will next face PetroGazz tomorrow, as the Chargers and the Angels will break their tie at 5-4, with the loser getting the boot.
Creamline will be Akari’s final preliminary round opponent on Nov. 30.
“Step by step, we’ll prepare for the next one starting today. We’re studying them already since last week,” said coach Jorge Souza de Brito when asked how his Chargers will approach their remaining games.
“Of course, it will be hard but their mindset is always fight together because you know, alone will do nothing so these guys know how we will proceed during the week,” he added.
Cignal, which has a 6-5 mark, will eliminate Akari if it wins in any of its last two prelims matches against Nxled tomorrow and Gerflor on Nov. 30.
Ysa Jimenez had three blocks for a 11-point effort, while Andrea Marzan also scored 11 points, including two service aces, for the Highrisers.
Galeries Tower fell to 0-8 to level with Gerflor at the bottom of the 12-team field.
(ai/mnm)
Standings W L
Creamline 7 0
Choco Mucho 7 1
Chery Tiggo 7 1
Cignal 6 3
PLDT 5 3
PetroGazz 5 4
Akari 4 4
F2 Logistics 4 5
Nxled 3 5
Farm Fresh 1 8
Galeries Tower 0 7
Gerflor 0 8
Games Thursday
(Philsports Arena)
2 p.m. – Galeries Tower vs Akari
4 p.m. – Creamline vs Nxled
6 p.m. – Choco Mucho vs PLDT
MANILA — Creamline and Choco Mucho are poised to clinch the first two semifinal berths in Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference matchups on Thursday at the Philsports Arena.
Currently holding the top two spots in the standings with impressive 7-0 and 7-1 records, the Cool Smashers and Flying Titans are well-positioned to secure places in the next round.
The afternoon clash features Creamline taking on also-ran Nxled at 4 p.m. A victory for the Cool Smashers, combined with a Choco Mucho win against PLDT in the 6 p.m. match, would leave two Final Four spots up for grabs.
While the Cool Smashers are favored to prevail against the Chameleons, the Flying Titans face a tougher challenge as the High-Speed Hitters are in must-win mode.
PLDT, currently in fifth place with a 5-3 slate, trails idle Cignal (6-3) by half a game in the race for the last semifinal slot.
Choco Mucho, riding a club-best seven-game winning streak, eliminated F2 Logistics with a thrilling 19-25, 25-8, 25-17, 25-19 victory on Tuesday.
Coach Dante Alinsunurin expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, especially after recovering from a first-set loss.
“Buti na lang pagdating ng second set, third set, nakuha namin yung rhythm namin. Nakuha namin yung gusto naming mangyari sa loob ng court. At nakuha namin yung game,” said Alinsunurin, whose squad has been undefeated since their loss to Creamline on October 15.
“Sa ngayon ano, talagang (ito) yung kailangan namin talaga. Medyo mahaba, kailangan talaga namin ma-practice lahat eh. Ang importante lahat kung ano yung pinapagawa namin sa first six, pati yung second six kailangan din gawin nila. Suwerte pa rin dahil nakita namin na kahit sinong bunutin namin, kunin namin sa labas na nagdedeliver. Kaya nga sobrang ganda na yung ginagawa ng team namin kasi lahat mindset talaga is gusto manalo every game,” he added.
PLDT’s semifinal bid hit a snag after losing two in a row. The High-Speed Hitters dropped a 23-25, 21-25, 19-25 decision to the Cool Smashers in Cagayan de Oro last Saturday.
Akari, which at 4-4 cannot afford to drop matches to keep its slim Final Four hopes alive, plays winless Galeries Tower in the 2 p.m. curtain raiser.
(ai/mnm)
Games on Saturday
(Filoil EcoOil Centre)
1:30 p.m. – PLDT vs Akari
4 p.m. – Foton vs Choco Mucho
6:30 p.m. – F2 Logistics vs Cignal
MANILA — Defending champion Creamline demonstrated their prowess by overpowering Gerflor, securing a commanding 25-18, 25-11, 25-12 victory in Thursday’s Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at the Filoil EcoOil Centre,
The second and third sets showcased the fiery form of the Cool Smashers, leaving the Defenders in a reality check during their league debut.
With this win, Creamline improved to a 2-0 record in Pool A, following their earlier straight-set triumph over Chery Tiggo on the opening day.
After a relatively slow start, the team managed to recover and regain their momentum, thanks to the contributions of their players.
Coach Sherwin Meneses expressed satisfaction with the game, stating, “Siyempre, medyo nagsimula kaming mabagal pero nakabawi naman kami mula sa mabagal na simula. Talagang nag-contribure yung mga players kaya masaya kami sa laro na ito at nakuha namin ang panalo” (Of course, we started a bit slow, but we were able to recover from the sluggish start. The players really contributed, so we’re happy with this game and getting the win).
In another match, Choco Mucho made a triumphant return to indoor play as they dominated Farm Fresh, securing a convincing 25-14, 25-7, 25-16 victory in Pool B.
Tots Carlos delivered an impressive performance, finishing with 15 points, going 13-of-19 in spikes. Jema Galanza also contributed with 10 points, including two service aces, making her the other Cool Smasher to reach double digits. Ced Domingo stood out with three blocks, the highest in the match, contributing eight points. Jia de Guzman showcased her skills with three of her five points coming from the service area, along with 12 excellent sets for Creamline. Alyssa Valdez, who celebrated her birthday, took a supporting role as Bernadeth Pons, the Cool Smashers’ new addition to the conference, received more playing time and finished with four blocks.
Returning to indoor play after a hiatus since 2019, Sisi Rondina seamlessly resumed her form. The Compostela, Cebu native exhibited an impressive performance, tallying 14 points with 13-of-27 attacks and showcasing her versatility with five receptions, leading the Flying Titans to victory.
“Hindi po naging madali pero nagtiwala kami sa proseso. Nagtiwala kami sa isa’t isa sa tulong ni coach Dante (Alinsunurin) at sa mga coaches namin,” said Rondina, a two-time Southeast Asian Games beach volleyball bronze medalist.
Cait Viray, Rondina’s college teammate, was also solid for Choco Mucho with 13 points, while setter Deanna Wong had five service aces and two blocks for a eight-point effort.
“Good game for our team. Dinidiktahan yung laro namin sa service receive namin kaya tumaas ang porsiyento namin,” said Alinsunurin, as the Flying Titans recorded 40-of-91 spikes. “Every set talaga, nagdi-dictate ng tempo sa amin.”
Choco Mucho’s best moment was in the second set of the 73-minute contest, scoring the first 13 points and never looked back.
Trisha Tubu had a better effort in her second pro game as the former Adamson standout had seven points, as Gayle Pascual struggled all-match long.
Zam Nolasco and Kate Santiago each had four points for the Foxies, who dropped to 0-2 in their pool.
(ai/mtvn)