Cool Smashers overwhelm Crossovers, secure bronze

By Glazyl M. Jopson

Leaving nothing to chance, the Creamline Cool Smashers delivered a dominant performance to sweep Chery Tiggo Crossovers, 25-15, 25-13, 25-22, and claim the bronze medal in the 2025 PVL Invitational Conference on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Fueled by frustration after missing the Finals for the second consecutive tournament, the Cool Smashers came out with focus and firepower, led by Michele Gumabao, Jema Galanza, and Alyssa Valdez.

The win extended Creamline’s record to 19 straight podium finishes in the PVL, further solidifying their legacy as the league’s most consistent and decorated franchise.

The bronze was Creamline’s fifth overall, adding to its record 10 championships across various conferences.

The Cool Smashers also finished third in the recent PVL On Tour after sweeping the Cignal HD Spikers, proving that they remain a formidable contender even without the gold.

Chery Tiggo, which missed a chance to face PLDT in the finals after squandering a 2-0 lead against Kobe Shinwa, settled for fourth place.

Creamline’s win was more than just a bounce-back—it was a clear reinforcement of their status as a dominant force in local volleyball.

A major key to their victory was a resurgent blocking game that turned a former weakness into a match-defining strength.

Against Chery Tiggo—who defeated them in the 2021 PVL Open Conference Finals—Creamline used net defense as a weapon, with Pangs Panaga and Gumabao forming an imposing frontline.

The Cool Smashers’ precise timing and positioning shut down Chery Tiggo’s wing spikers and disrupted their offensive rhythm.

Set 2 highlighted their defensive dominance, with Creamline turning an 11-8 lead into a 21-12 cushion behind a 10-4 run sparked by Kyle Negrito’s strong service game.

Valdez closed the second frame with a kill that capped a quick 23-minute set win.

Set 3 saw Chery Tiggo briefly regain control, but Creamline swiftly recovered with a 7-4 run led by Lorie Bernardo and Rhea Villarete, turning an 8-10 deficit into a 15-14 lead.

Villarete capped the rally with a surprise 1-2 play that caught the Crossovers off guard.

The two teams exchanged points in a tense sequence that saw the score tied at 22 after a powerful hit by Ara Galang.

That’s when Gumabao sealed the win.

Coming off the bench, she fired three straight points: a kill to end the rally, a blast through two blockers, and a baseline attack that froze the defense.

“Coming from the outside, medyo malamig at matagal din kami, so execute lang, just give your best at iniisip ko lang talaga na pumatay ng bola,” said Gumabao, who tallied 17 points with a 58 percent attack rate and three blocks.

“Medyo malamig pero nakaraos naman,” she added.

She also thanked Creamline’s management and fans for their continued support, which she credited as motivation throughout the team’s consistent run.

“We’re blessed with great management, which has always been there to support all through those 19 podium finishes, and the fans,” she said.

“Grabe ang passion nila kaya lalo lang kami na-eencourage maglaro,” Gumabao added.

Galanza followed with 12 points, while Valdez and Panaga added nine and seven, respectively, as Creamline outgunned Chery Tiggo in attacks, 48-31, and out-blocked them, 7-2.

Bernardo contributed six points during a key third-set stretch, while rookie Sheena Toring added five.

Galang paced Chery Tiggo with 10 points, followed by Cess Robles with nine, but the team lacked consistent support.

Imee Hernandez was limited to five points, while veterans Aby Maraño and Renee Peñafiel were held to four and three, respectively, as the Crossovers struggled against Creamline’s disciplined defense.