PVL: Creamline staves off ZUS Coffee to remain unbeaten

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Creamline Cool Smashers repelled the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, 25-19, 16-25, 26-24, 25-17, to continue their undefeated start in the ongoing Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Oct. 24, 2026, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

Following lopsided wins over the Akari Chargers and the Galeries Tower Highrisers, the Cool Smashers picked up where they left off, showing poise under pressure despite committing a string of uncharacteristic unforced errors in the second set.

After a masterclass in the opener, Creamline experienced an unexpected roller coaster in the following frame, committing a series of service errors and poor first-ball receptions that allowed the Thunderbelles to equalize the match at one set apiece.

ZUS Coffee appeared to carry its momentum into the third set, putting the pressure back on Creamline after reaching set point at 24-23.

However, the battle-tested Cool Smashers responded with a sense of urgency, leaning on the clutch efforts of Alyssa Valdez and middle blocker Jeanette Panaga to close out the tightly contested set.

Facing set point at 23-24, Valdez stepped up when Creamline needed her most, scoring an off-the-block spike from the left side to tie the score at 24-all.

The Cool Smashers then wrapped up the third set with two consecutive blocks from Panaga, saving Creamline from a potential setback and giving the team a 2-1 set lead.

It was then all Creamline in the fourth set as the one-two punch of Bernadeth Pons and Tots Carlos set the tone for the Cool Smashers, spearheading a surge that built a 16-10 advantage before Panaga and Jema Galanza joined the action.

When the Thunderbelles attempted to mount a comeback of their own, Panaga spoiled their chances with a kill block that stretched the Cool Smashers’ lead to eight points, followed by Galanza’s off-speed attacks to seal the victory.

Pons led Creamline’s assault with 16 points and 14 excellent receptions; Carlos added 10 points, while Galanza chipped in eight points and 10 excellent digs.

The Cool Smashers will aim to extend their winning streak to four consecutive games on Oct. 29 in a highly anticipated clash with the Capital1 Solar Spikers, while the Thunderbelles will seek their first win of the conference on the same date against the PLDT High Speed Hitters.