PVL Finals: Creamline dominates Cignal, inches closer to title
PVL SCHEDULE: 2026 All-Filipino Finals – Creamline vs Cignal
Creamline Cool Smashers during the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals Game 1 vs Cignal Super Spikers. –MARLO CUETP/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Creamline turned the championship stage into its own playground, sweeping Cignal, 25-22, 25-18, 25-16, to move closer to a title redemption in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
In their ninth straight All-Filipino finals and 15th overall, the Cool Smashers flexed their championship experience against the Super Spikers, who are in their first finals of the tournament and third overall.
LIVE: 2026 PVL All-Filipino Finals Game 1 – Creamline vs Cignal
The duo of Jema Galanza and Bernadeth Pons powered Creamline’s strong Game 1 showing that pushed them closer to reclaiming the championship they lost to Petro Gazz last year.
The Cool Smashers pulled away big in the third set, with Galanza giving them an 18-10 spread.
Creamline Cool Smashers’ Jema Galanza during the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals Game 1 vs Cignal Super Spikers. –MARLO CUETP/INQUIRER.net
Jewel Encarnacion’s attack error handed the Cool Smashers their biggest lead, 22-13. Bea De Leon sent Creamline to match point with a quick attack before Galanza nailed the game winner.
Former league MVP Galanza had 17 points and an efficient defensive game of 13 excellent receptions out of 18 attempts. Pons delivered 11 points, 15 digs, and five excellent receptions, with Jia De Guzman dishing out 22 excellent sets on top of four points.
Tots Carlos chipped in nine points, while Bea De Leon delivered seven.
“Of course, we’re really happy, we got it in three sets against Cignal. That’s a big advantage since we only have one day to prepare for Game 2. At least we can rest well and still get a good training session in,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses in Filipino after only committing 12 errors.
“But the series isn’t over, so we’ll work on our lapses in practice and go back to square one. Cignal won’t back down. That’s why they’re in the finals. So we can’t relax.”
Creamline goes for its 11th PVL title in Game 2 on Thursday at the Big Dome at 5:30 p.m.
The Super Spikers went toe-to-toe with the Cool Smashers in the first set, led by Vanie Gandler. From an 18-13 deficit, they cut the lead down to 23-22, before Galanza clinched set point, and Tots Carlos sealed the first-set win with a block on Tin Tiamzon.
The Cool Smashers took full control of the second set, with Galanza and Pons putting on the finishing touch and, and they carried the momentum into the third set with a 5-0 start.
Cignal leaned on go-to scorer Gandler, who had 17 points and 10 receptions. Erika Santos chipped in 10 points but struggled with a 9-of-39 attacking clip. Gel Cayuna was limited to 14 excellent sets but scored six.
