Creamline Cool Smashers rejoice after beating Cignal Super Spikers for the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference championship. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Creamline scaled its hardest mountain yet to finish a sweet title redemption run within the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
In its hardest road to the Finals yet, Creamline fulfilled its mission of capturing an eleventh 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, within 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
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— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) April 23, 2026
Dethroned by Petro Gazz in Game 3 of the All-Filipino last 12 months, the Cool Smashers got here out with a full force line-up this 12 months, with the return of Jema Galanza, Jia De Guzman, and Bernadeth Pons.
Creamline endured a grueling path to the championship round, with two losses to Cignal forcing do-or-die games in each the play-in and semifinals.
“After all, we’re really, really blissful. It’s been a 12 months since we last made the finals, so this implies rather a lot. The games, especially Game 2, were super intense, going to 5 sets with numerous pressure,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses in Filipino.
“We’re just so blissful 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 very long time. That’s really certainly one of Creamline’s strengths. We’re just really blissful to be champions again after a 12 months.”
But in a well-known playground that’s 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 finish a sweep.
Creamline hiked its All-Filipino championship haul to seven in nine straight finals appearances.
Cignal, nonetheless, refused to fold. After a third-set rout, Gel Cayuna sparked a 12-5 start within the fourth, with Tin Tiamzon stretching the result in 23-14 before forcing a deciding set.
Creamline Cool Smashers’ Jema Galanza and Jia De Guzman during a game against Cignal Super Spikers within the PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Gandler also led Cignal’s fightback within the second, erasing a 10-2 deficit and delivering key hits to even the match before Creamline bounced back strong within 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.