The 2025 PVL Invitational continued on Thursday at the PhilSports Arena with the PLDT High Speed Hitters, Creamline Cool Smashers, Chery Tiggo Crossovers, and Cignal HD Spikers all back in action again.
Creamline Outlasts Cignal, Gets First Win in 2025 PVL Invitational
The Creamline Cool Smashers needed every bit of fight to get their first win of the 2025 PVL Invitational Conference—a 22-25, 25-17, 22-25, 25-11, 15-8 victory over the Cignal HD Spikers.
Veterans Michele Gumabao, Jema Galanza, and Alyssa Valdez carried the fight for the dynastic franchise, with Gumabao firing 22 points on 18 attacks and 4 blocks. Galanza, meanwhile, unleashed 16 markers, while Valdez added 11—including three in the final and deciding set. Valdez, slowed down by injuries over the past couple of years also presided over Creamline’s floor defense with 12 digs and 14 reception.
Erika Santos, the MVP of the recently concluded PVL on Tour, couldn’t flash her MVP against Creamline as she was limited to only 11 points. Heather Guino-o tried to pick up the slack and came away with 21 points along with 12 digs and 7 receptions. Unfortunately, she was contained in the deciding set and couldn’t help Cignal overcome the Cool Smashers.
Up Next
Creamline vs. Chery Tiggo on August 23 (PhilSports Arena)
Cignal vs. PLDT on August 23 (PhilSports Arena)
Shorthanded PLDT Rolls Over Chery Tiggo with Commanding Sweep
Reigning PVL on Tour champions PLDT High Speed Hitters continued their winning ways on Thursday, rolling past the Chery Tiggo Crossovers with a 25-16, 25-14, 25-18 sweep behind rookie Alleiah Malaluan, who provided a spark of the PLDT bench with 11 points, 13 excellent digs, and 9 receptions in her professional debut in the 2025 PVL Invitational Conference.
Old reliable Majoy Baron added 10 points on 8 attacks and 2 blocks, while Jessey De Leon and Mika Reyes had 9 and 8 points, respectively. Angge Alcantara was superb as well, contributing 20 excellent sets and 5 points—including 2 service aces—while Kath Arado was spectacular on defense as always with 23 excellent digs and 7 receptions.
In other words, it was a complete team effort for the High Speed Hitters, who rested key players Savannah Davison, Kianna Dy, and Kim Fajardo against Chery Tiggo.
Cess Robles led Chery Tiggo with 8 points, while Ara Galang and Shaya Adorador added 6 each.
Up Next
Chery Tiggo vs. Creamline on August 23 (PhilSports Arena)
PLDT vs. Cignal on August 23 (PhilSports Arena)
Zus Coffee, Kobe Shinwa University to Make Their Debut in 2025 PVL Invitational Conference
Saturday’s triple-header at the PhilSports Arena will feature the debut of guest team Kobe Shinwa University and the Zus Coffee Thunderbelles, who replaced supposed guest squad Kurashiki Ablaze. The Japanese club won the 2023 PVL Invitational but backed out at the last minute following a compliance violation reportedly committed by their head coach, Hideo Suzuki.
The Farm Fresh Foxies was originally invited to take the place of the Ablaze in the 2025 PVL Invitational, but team owner Frank Lao opted to give the spot to the Thunderbelles instead, saying the Foxies weren’t quite ready just yet.
