The Creamline Cool Smashers leaned on their championship poise when it mattered most on Saturday, regrouping in the fifth set to outlast the Nxled Chameleons, 25-16, 22-25, 25-21, 15-25, 15-10, and move into solo second place in the race for the Qualifying Round of the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
The Cool Smashers looked sharp early, dominating the opening frame before Nxled bounced back to take the second. Creamline regained control in the third, but the Chameleons refused to go quietly, delivering a strong fourth-set performance to force a decider in front of a lively weekend crowd at the FilOil Playtime Centre.
When the pressure mounted, however, Creamline’s championship experience surfaced.
Cool and Steady Creamline Delivers in Decider
The Cool Smashers steadied themselves in the fifth set, pulling away to secure their fifth straight victory after dropping their tournament opener. The win also strengthened their hold on one of the coveted Top Four spots heading into the post-elimination phase.
Nxled, on the other hand, continued to slide. After sweeping their first three matches, the Chameleons absorbed their fourth straight loss, struggling to sustain their adjustments late in matches despite the promise of a roster built around several former Petro Gazz standouts.
Jema Galanza led Creamline with 19 points to earn Best Player of the Game honors, repeatedly delivering in crucial moments as setter Jia De Guzman looked to her trusted hitter throughout the 2-hour, 22-minute contest.
“Focus lang kami at nagtiyaga,” Galanza said after the match. She also tallied 10 excellent receptions to go with a barrage of clutch attacks.
Cool Smashers Race to Early Lead in Fifth Frame
Creamline took control early in the deciding frame. Trailing 1-2, the Cool Smashers unleashed a four-point run highlighted by two points from Tots Carlos, including a key block that swung momentum their way.
Nxled threatened to close the gap at 8-10 on a power tip from MJ Phillips, but Galanza responded with back-to-back points before Bernadette Pons sealed the win with a powerful blast.
Pons finished with 18 points, Carlos added 16, while Pangs Panaga chipped in 13, including 6 blocks. For Nxled, Myla Pablo paced the Chameleons with 22 points.
