Creamline's Bernadeth Pons in action in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. PVL Media
MANILA -- Bernadeth Pons stepped up when it mattered most to give Creamline a winning start in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference round-robin semifinals.
The Cool Smashers were on the brink of defeat against top seed PLDT when Pons came to the rescue, exploding for 28 points to power their comeback.
Creamline pulled off the win in five sets, 22-25, 27-25, 19-25, 28-26, 15-10, in front of a massive crowd of 12,411 fans at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.
READ: Creamline overcomes PLDT in 5-set thriller to enter semis win column
The 2024 Reinforced Conference Most Valuable Player dazzled with 21 kills, four blocks, and three aces, while also showcasing superb floor defense with 22 excellent receptions and 16 digs for Creamline, which took an early share of the semifinals lead alongside Cignal.
"Alam ko talaga na kaya namin kuhanin yung fourth set. Kahit na lumamang sila, kaya naming humabol. And sobrang thankful lang din kasi grabe din talaga yung effort ng bawat isa. Kasi gusto din talaga ng bawat isa na maipanalo yung game," said Pons.
Peaking at the right time, Pons helped steer the Cool Smashers to crucial victories when it mattered most, including a knockout Play-In game against Akari last Tuesday, where she delivered 13 points and 17 digs to secure a crucial 25-23, 25-20, 16-25, 25-16 victory.
The heroics displayed by the 33rd Southeast Asian Games beach volleyball gold medalist earned her the nod as the PVL Press Corps Player of the Week presented by Pilipinas Live.
"Coming into the semifinals, na-remind kami ni coach na lahat ng mga past games namin, tapos na 'yun eh. 0-0 ulit. So, 'yun, parang sobrang prinepare din talaga namin," said Pons, who missed the end of the preliminary round due to a minor injury.
"Sobrang grateful [din kami] na lumabas yung mga pinag-ensayuhan namin, kahit medyo on and off."
Pons was the unanimous choice for the award, as decided by print and online sportswriters covering the beat, edging out teammate Alyssa Valdez, Cignal's Erika Santos and Vanie Gandler, and Farm Fresh's Trisha Tubu.
The Cool Smashers will go for a finals-clinching second win against the Cignal Super Spikers on Tuesday at the same venue in Pasay City.