Creamline's Jema Galanza in action. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA (UPDATED) — After falling flat in its first game, Creamline has now won three in a row in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.
The Cool Smashers' latest victim was Capital1, defeating the Bella Belen-led squad in straight sets, 25-18, 26-24, 25-20, on Saturday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.
They survived the three-time UAAP MVP's 26-point explosion — to which didn't go unnoticed by her former National U coach, Sherwin Meneses.
"Siyempre, knowing Capital1, andun si Bella [Belen], talagang lalaban at lalaban 'yon. Talagang 'di kami pwedeng magpabaya kahit na one point," said Meneses.
This marked Belen's first encounter against the powerhouse squad.
During the second and third frames, the Cool Smashers tore down a Capital1 lead to which Belen helped install midway through those periods.
In the final set, they erased a 13-9 deficit, thanks in large part to Jema Galanza's hard-hitting attacks.
And in the second frame, it was also the Adamson product who helped tear down a 23-17 Capital1 advantage, paving the way to an 8-1 comeback to steal the frame, scoring three of those through attacks.
Bernadeth Pons towed Creamline to a 25-24 set point advantage with a kill, and Leila Cruz's attack then sailed out, conceding the frame to the rallying Cool Smashers.
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"Maganda naman 'yung response ng team sa second set, kaya naka-recover kami. Actually lamang kami do'n, pero siyempre 'yung mga senior player naming, talagang nagde-deliver do'n sa mga crucial points," said the champion tactician.
"Trinabaho talaga namin isa-isa, na 'pag may sitwasyon na pinractice namin, mag-stick kami sa game plan, and buti na lang nakadikit kami at nalaban namin hanggang dulo sa second set," said playmaker Jia de Guzman.
In the opener, Creamline blew out the other side with a 25-18 score line. Belen tried to keep her team alive with an off-the-block kill, just after Tots Carlos found the sharp spike to reach set point, 24-17. Pons was there for the clincher, firing the off-speed hit that gave Creamline a 1-0 cushion.
Galanza finished with 13 points, 10 excellent receptions, and five excellent digs; while Carlos top-scored with 15 markers and 10 excellent digs, and Pons had 14 points and 10 excellent receptions. Pulling the strings was De Guzman, who had 22 excellent sets.
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On the other hand, Belen had little to no help in scoring, as the next to her in the offense was Ypril Tapia, who had four points.
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