The Creamline Cool Smashers. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA (UPDATED) — Down two sets to one, Creamline regrouped in Sets 4 and 5 to suppress Cignal, completing a five-set 22-25, 25-17, 22-25, 25-11, 15-8 triumph in the 2025 PVL Invitational, Thursday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
It was a repeat of the PVL on Tour bronze medal match just this Sunday, when the Cool Smashers also took down the HD Spikers, 25-17, 29-27, 25-17.
Former PVL Most Valuable Player Michele Gumabao led the charge, firing 22 points on 18 attacks and four blocks, including 15 excellent digs and five markers in the last frame.
READ: PVL: Zus Coffee joins Invitationals after Kurashiki pulls out
To shorten the league run, the PVL on Tour semis results are taken into account, as previously agreed upon by the league and the participating squads.
With this, Creamline has improved to 1-1, while Cignal moved down to 0-2 after the Thursday match.
In Set 5, the Cool Smashers found the separation as they unleashed a 4-0 run from the 8-6 mark, sparked by a Gumabao off-the-block hit and concluded by a Cignal attack error, for a massive 12-6 lead.
The HD Spikers could not recover from there as Jema Galanza fired one attack to put the Cool Smashers to match point, 14-7.
Cignal saved one match point after Alyssa Valdez's serve sailed out, 14-8, but Galanza was there to deal the finishing touches with a sharp crosscourt attack, wrapping up the game that lasted two hours and 21 minutes.
"Sa tingin ko ‘yung naging advantage namin is ’yung experience ng team. ‘Yun ‘yung pinakamalaking advantage this Invitational lalo na team total effort ngayon kahit na five sets," said coach Sherwin Meneses during the postgame interview.
Galanza dropped 18 points and 17 excellent receptions to supplement Gumabao, while Valdez followed through with 11 points, 12 excellent digs and 14 excellent receptions.
Meanwhile, Heather Guino-o paced the other side with 21 markers, 24 excellent receptions, and 12 excellent digs, as On Tour MVP Erika Santos was held to 11 points.
Creamline returns to action on Saturday against Chery Tiggo, while Cignal aims to enter the win column against PLDT in the same game date.