The Creamline Cool Smashers. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA (UPDATED) — The cast of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference qualifying round is finally complete.
This, as Creamline snatched the last spot by outlasting Cignal in five long and grueling sets, 25-19, 25-20, 15-25, 26-28, 16-14 on Saturday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.
Despite going in undermanned, with Jema Galanza and Bernadeth Pons still out, the Cool Smashers powered their way through, with the help of Alyssa Valdez's vintage form and SEA Games beach volleyball gold medalist Dij Rodriguez, rescuing the team from the brink of a play-in spot to the qualifying phase.
"I'm very, very happy for everybody. Everybody actually stepped up today and made sure na ginagawa din talaga 'yung trabaho," said Valdez.
"Siyempre, sa tulong din ng mga ate at sila Jema at Pons, nagre-remind din sila sa akin," said Rodriguez, crediting the sidelined but seasoned players.
The match literally went the distance, with both squads duking it out for each and every point. The Cool Smashers squandered a 24-21 match point advantage in Set 4, as Vanie Gandler kept her team alive with clutch hits, capped by a Jewel Encarnacion hit that sent the encounter to a decider.
Jia de Guzman suffered a bad slip early in the fifth, prompting her to be taken out of the taraflex and be treated for medical attention.
With Kyle Negrito stepping in as setter, she steered Creamline throughout Set 5. Tots Carlos eventually powered Creamline to match point, 14-13, but Cignal by then was not ready to go home as Encarnacion kept her team alive with a kill.
Thankfully for the Creamline fans in the arena, the final two points manifested, as Negrito nailed a gutsy surprise attack that hit the line, and Bea de Leon rose to the occasion with a rejection on Encarnacion at the net, ending the thriller that lasted for two hours and 39 minutes.
Valdez stuffed the stat sheet with 22 points, 13 digs, and 13 receptions to lead the team, while Rodriguez served as the Ateneo legend's offensive partner with 19 attack points.
Meanwhile, Gandler churned in a game-high 26 points, 19 digs, and 15 receptions to star for the losing side.