Cool Smashers complete Final 4 cast, oust Foxies

Games Tuesday

(Araneta Coliseum)

4 p.m. – Chery Tiggo vs Cignal

6:30 p.m. – Creamline vs  PLDT

The Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour semifinal cast is complete, and it’s a familiar group of contenders.

The Creamline Cool Smashers, 10-time PVL champions, joined Chery Tiggo, Cignal, and PLDT in the Final Four after sweeping the Farm Fresh Foxies, 25-19, 25-19, 26-24, on Aug. 9, 2025, before a roaring crowd at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

In a tournament that began with upsets, five-set thrillers, and unpredictable results, the quarterfinals brought a reset, with the league’s elite teams reasserting dominance through clean sweeps.

Creamline made its intentions clear from the opening whistle, racing to a 7-0 start in the first set and never relinquishing control.

The Foxies mounted a spirited fight in the third set, with Trisha Tubu delivering a clutch block on Alyssa Valdez and an off-the-block hit to erase three match points and tie the score at 24.

Their momentum peaked when Michele Gumabao’s attack hit the antenna, igniting cheers from the Farm Fresh faithful.

But the Cool Smashers quickly regained composure, with Gumabao redeeming herself with a kill down the line and Pangs Panaga sealing the win with a net-clipping service ace.

Setter Kyle Negrito earned Best Player of the Game honors after tallying 21 excellent sets and six points, including five service aces, in a steady all-around performance.

“I’m so happy that we made it to the semis. One goal at a time,” Negrito said, crediting discipline in training and targeted service practice for her strong showing.

Gumabao led Creamline with 15 points, while Valdez and Jema Galanza added 12 and 10, respectively. Panaga chipped in seven markers.

Tubu led the Foxies with 20 points, including three straight aces in the first set. Caitlin Viray scored nine, Rizza Cruz had six, and Jolina Dela Cruz was limited to four.

Creamline edged Farm Fresh in attacks, 38-35, and matched them in blocks at four apiece, but the key difference came from the service line, where the Cool Smashers scored 10 aces to the Foxies’ four.

Valdez tallied nine excellent receptions, Galanza recorded six digs, and libero Kyla Atienza added eight.

Coach Sherwin Meneses emphasized staying sharp against all opponents.

“All the teams are fighting hard, so we need to watch our areas individually. When we do that together, the results will be good,” Meneses said.

Negrito’s four aces in a single set showcased Creamline’s overwhelming service pressure, helping build a 16-10 lead in the opener.

The Foxies trimmed the gap to 19-23 but faltered as Valdez and Galanza delivered clutch hits to seal the first set.

Creamline built an 8-4 lead in the second set, extended it to 16-9, and closed strong after another Foxies run.

In the third, the Cool Smashers jumped ahead 8-3 and maintained control with timely attacks from Valdez, Galanza, Gumabao, and Panaga, fending off every Farm Fresh rally to book their 18th Final Four appearance.