The Creamline Cool Smashers needed five sets to keep its perfect record intact.
The Cool Smashers survived a determined the Farm Fresh Foxies, 25‑18, 24‑26, 25‑22, 23‑25, 15‑4, on Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to move one step closer to a spot in the 2026 PVL Invitational Conference Finals.
The match appeared headed for another tight finish after Farm Fresh forced a deciding set behind a Trisha Tubu down‑the‑line hit that closed out the fourth frame.
Cool Smasher Keep Their Cool in Tense Match
But once the fifth set began, Creamline quickly took control.
Jaja Santiago‑Minowa and Jema Galanza turned the net into a wall, combining for 10 points as the Cool Smashers broke away from the Foxies. Santiago‑Minowa accounted for three blocks in the deciding frame, while Galanza added two more to help Creamline close out the match in emphatic fashion.
The victory kept Creamline unbeaten at 3‑0 and strengthened its position at the top of the standings. Farm Fresh, meanwhile, slipped to 1‑2 and now sits in fifth place.
“Sobrang lesson sa amin ‘yung nangyari and blessing din kasi na‑experience namin ‘yung very close na game. Sa tingin ko, nakaganda sa amin ‘yung situation para pagdating sa mga next game namin, dumating sa situation na gano’n, ready kami,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
Creamline’s Stars Show the Way
Galanza was instrumental throughout the marathon, finishing with 26 points on 22 attacks, 2 blocks, and 2 aces. She also collected 18 excellent receptions and 11 excellent digs.
Santiago‑Minowa continued her impressive start to life with the Cool Smashers, adding 17 points on 14 attacks and three blocks. All three of her rejections came in the fifth set.
Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos chipped in 12 points apiece for Creamline.
The Foxies had plenty of fight, particularly after forcing the fourth set. With Creamline threatening to close out the match at 24‑23, Tubu came through with the attack that extended the contest and gave Farm Fresh another chance.
Ces Molina turned in one of the best individual performances of the night despite the loss, finishing with 27 points and 17 digs. Tubu and Royse Tubino each added 19 points, although Farm Fresh struggled to find another consistent scoring option, with Riri Meneses next on the list with six.
What’s Next
Creamline will have a chance to officially book its place in the gold medal match when it faces Thailand’s EST Cola on Friday at 6:30 p.m.
Farm Fresh, meanwhile, needs a win against defending champions PLDT High Speed Hitters earlier that day at 1:30 p.m. to keep its Finals hopes alive.
