PVL: Creamline reclaims All-Filipino crown, outlasts Cignal

Creamline Cool Smashers celebrate after beating Cignal Super Spikers for the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference championship. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Creamline scaled its toughest mountain yet to complete a sweet title redemption run in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference.

In its toughest road to the Finals yet, Creamline fulfilled its mission of capturing an 11th championship, stamping its class against Cignal, 25-23, 22-25, 25-16, 16-25, 15-11 for a series sweep in Game 2 on Thursday before 17,358 fans at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Buoyed by a roaring Creamline crowd, the Cool Smashers stood firm despite trailing, 7-9, in the fifth set, unleashing a decisive 6-1 run for a 13-10 lead capped by Pangs Panaga’s block on Vanie Gandler.

Tots Carlos pushed Creamline to championship point, 14-11, before sealing the title with a block on Gandler.

CREAMLINE COMPLETES ITS TITLE REDEMPTION TOUR!

FINAL: Creamline reclaims the All-Filipino crown after outlasting Cignal in Game 2, 25-23, 22-25, 25-16, 16-25, 15-11. #PVL2026 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ

•⁠ ⁠Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/0yJ7QFRHmu pic.twitter.com/UEdwQkVCAv

— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) April 23, 2026

Dethroned by Petro Gazz in Game 3 of the All-Filipino last year, the Cool Smashers came out with a full force line-up this year, with the return of Jema Galanza, Jia De Guzman, and Bernadeth Pons.

Creamline endured a grueling route to the championship round, with two losses to Cignal forcing do-or-die games in both the play-in and semifinals.

“Of course, we’re really, really happy. It’s been a year since we last made the finals, so this means a lot. The games, especially Game 2, were super intense, going to five sets with a lot of pressure,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses in Filipino.

“We’re just so happy that Creamline is back on top as champions. We’re also very thankful to our management for never giving up on this core group, since we’ve been together for a long time. That’s really one of Creamline’s strengths. We’re just really happy to be champions again after a year.”

But in a familiar playground that is the Finals, the Cool Smashers flexed their championship experience, starting with a 25-22, 25-18, 25-16 sweep in Game 1, followed up by a nerve-wracking Game 2 win to complete a sweep.

Creamline hiked its All-Filipino championship haul to seven in nine straight finals appearances.

Cignal, however, refused to fold. After a third-set rout, Gel Cayuna sparked a 12-5 start in the fourth, with Tin Tiamzon stretching the lead to 23-14 before forcing a deciding set.

Creamline Cool Smashers’ Jema Galanza and Jia De Guzman during a game against Cignal Super Spikers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Gandler also led Cignal’s fightback in the second, erasing a 10-2 deficit and delivering key hits to even the match before Creamline bounced back strong in the third.

Pons delivered 22 points, 25 digs, and 15 excellent receptions, while Carlos finished with 18 points.

Game 1 hero Galanza finished with 12 points, 19 digs, and 16 receptions. Panaga had five blocks for 10 points, as De Guzman tossed 31 excellent sets.

The elusive maiden PVL title remained out of reach for Cignal, which settled for its third runner-up finish—its second Finals loss to Creamline after the 2024 Invitational.

Gandler poured in 26 points, 15 receptions, and 14 digs. Santos had 21 points, as Tiamzon added 14 points and 12 receptions.

Dawn Catindig had 36 digs, while Cayuna dished out 31 excellent sets and scored eight.