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Category: Volleyball

  • Vanie Gandler shakes off illness to fuel Cignal’s perfect 3-0 start 

    Vanie Gandler shakes off illness to fuel Cignal’s perfect 3-0 start 

    Even while battling gastroenteritis just a day before tip-off, Vanie Gandler refused to let illness sideline her. The 25-year-old outside spiker emerged as the driving force behind Cignal’s hard-earned 3-0 start in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, powering past a resilient Farm Fresh team at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

     

    “Right after practice yesterday, I went to the clinic to get meds,” Gandler shared. “My number one priority was to be able to eat so that I have enough energy today. I just took the meds, I rested, and thankfully I was able to play.”

     

    The Alas Pilipinas standout didn’t just play—she dominated. Gandler recorded 25 points on 24 attacks and one ace, while also contributing 14 excellent digs and 15 excellent receptions, completing a massive triple-double that underscored her all-around influence.

     

    “I just think of any way I can contribute to the team. So, if I’m in the front row, with scoring, and [when I’m in the] back row, defense. I don’t really think of the stats. It’s just where else I can help with the team to get this win,” Gandler said, demonstrating the selflessness that has become central to Cignal’s early success.

     

    The 5-foot-9 spiker has steadily been Cignal’s cornerstone, contributing 14 points in their victory over Galeries Tower and 16 against Choco Mucho, all while growing into a leader both on and off the court.

     

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    “I’m really proud of my team because we work really hard and we really try our best to apply everything that’s taught to us. We still have many lapses, many things to work on, but I’m very happy with how we’re willing to learn and improve each training,” Gandler added.

     

    Her performance wasn’t just a personal triumph—it was a testament to the team’s growth, discipline, and unity. “I think it’s just the experiences that I’ve had and, of course, the environment that I have to always improve. My improvement is because of the help of my teammates, my coaches. So, yeah, I’m grateful for everything that they teach me and that my teammates give me confidence every time.”

     

    For Cignal, Gandler’s perseverance and versatility signal that the team is not just winning—they are building the foundation of a confident, resilient squad capable of challenging for the title.

     

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  • “Nothing unusual, it’s normal”: Bernadeth Pons on facing Sisi Rondina after securing historic SEA Games gold

    “Nothing unusual, it’s normal”: Bernadeth Pons on facing Sisi Rondina after securing historic SEA Games gold

    Premier Volleyball League (PVL) powerhouse Creamline Cool Smashers showed championship poise on Tuesday night, shaking off an opening-game setback in the 2026 All-Filipino Conference to outlast rivals Choco Mucho Flying Titans in four sets, 27–25, 17–25, 25–21, 25–15, at a packed Mall of Asia Arena.

     

    After stumbling in their conference opener, the Cool Smashers responded with a composed and methodical performance, weathering Choco Mucho’s resistance before asserting control in the latter stages of the match. Creamline’s ability to execute in crucial moments—particularly in the tightly contested first and third sets—proved decisive, allowing them to reestablish rhythm and confidence early in the tournament.

     

    Bernadeth Pons spearheaded Creamline’s bounce-back win with an all-around masterclass, registering a triple-double of 19 points, 18 excellent receptions, and 13 digs. Her presence was felt on both ends of the floor as she anchored the defense, stabilized the back row, and delivered timely attacks when the Cool Smashers needed momentum. Middle blocker Pangs Panaga added 12 points, while Jema Galanza chipped in 11, giving Creamline a balanced offensive effort that kept Choco Mucho’s defense guessing.

     

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    Beyond the result, the match carried added intrigue as it marked the first on-court meeting between Pons and Choco Mucho superstar Sisi Rondina since the two joined forces to win a historic gold medal in beach volleyball at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand. Now wearing opposing colors in the indoor game, the former teammates found themselves on opposite sides of the net in one of the league’s most anticipated rivalries.

     

    The Creamline star downplayed any extra emotions tied to the matchup, emphasizing the professional reality of competing against familiar faces in the indoor scene.

     

    “Nothing unusual, it’s normal. After beach volleyball, we all know we are going back to indoor anyway, so we are bound to face each other. It’s a challenge for both of us. I know she is super competitive. She is great to play with and just as great to play against,” Pons said after the game.

    Rondina, for her part, delivered a solid performance for the Flying Titans, finishing with 15 points and 14 receptions. However, her efforts were not enough to prevent Choco Mucho from absorbing another setback at the hands of Creamline, as the Flying Titans fell for the 19th time in their last 20 meetings against the Cool Smashers—a statistic that continues to underscore Creamline’s dominance in the rivalry.

     

    For Pons, the win carried extra meaning as she continues to reacclimate to the indoor game after spending months focusing on beach volleyball. The 29-year-old admitted she relished the atmosphere at MOA Arena, marking her return to PVL action after last playing indoors during the previous All-Filipino Conference in May.

     

    “I’m really happy to be playing here at MOA again. I hadn’t played indoor volleyball for a few months, so the feeling was different when I walked in—especially with so many people. It also made it more special since we were playing Choco Mucho, one of the toughest teams this conference. I’m really happy we got the win,” she added.

     

    The 2024 Reinforced Conference Most Valuable Player (MVP) also acknowledged that there is still room for improvement as she and the Cool Smashers continue to fine-tune their systems early in the conference. Pons pointed to communication and on-court connection as key areas the team is emphasizing in training.

     

    “Even in training, Ate Ly kept reminding us that communication is really important. Everyone has to talk and call for the ball so it’s easier for the setter. When everyone is asking for the ball, it also puts pressure on the opponents.

     

    “We work on this every day because, like Jia said, our game against PLDT showed us what we still lack—both individually and as a team. So we keep working on it daily, especially our connection and communication,” Pons concluded.

     

    With their first victory of the 2026 All-Filipino Conference secured, Creamline will look to build momentum as they continue their campaign. The Cool Smashers return to action next on Tuesday, February 17, when they face the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles at the FilOil Centre, aiming to string together wins and reassert themselves as early contenders in the conference race.

     

     

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  • Choco Mucho hit by Eya Laure injury amid early conference slide

    Choco Mucho hit by Eya Laure injury amid early conference slide

    The promise was there at the start. A retooled Choco Mucho squad, energized by the return of Sisi Rondina and Eya Laure, opened the conference with authority and looked ready to finally turn potential into sustained momentum.

     

    Then reality arrived fast.

     

    What followed was an abrupt halt—two straight losses that exposed cracks still forming beneath the surface of the Flying Titans’ new look. Defeats to Cignal and Creamline didn’t just dent the standings; they interrupted rhythm, confidence, and continuity at a time when the team was still finding its collective footing.

     

    The setback grew heavier against Creamline when Laure, in the middle of a strong showing, was forced out after reaggravating groin and abdominal issues. Her exit didn’t just change the match—it symbolized Choco Mucho’s uneven start, where flashes of cohesion were quickly undone by disruption.

     

    Still, panic hasn’t crept in.

     

    “Okay naman siya,” head coach Dante Alinsunurin said afterward, striking a measured tone despite the circumstances.

     

    Rondina offered context—and hope.

     

    “Dati naman na talaga niyang problema yung groin niya, and may strain na rin yun sa abs. I think napuwersa lang din yun kanina. But tomorrow, meron siyang check-up. Hopefully, makabalik siya next game,” she said.

     

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    Beyond the injury concern, both coach and captain pointed to something more fundamental: patience. The losses, Alinsunurin stressed, revealed areas that still need refinement, especially as the team continues to adjust to new roles and expectations.

     

    “Sa nangyari sa dalawang talo namin, malinaw na nakita namin yung pagkakamali namin. Kung ano man yung gusto naming mangyari sa loob ng court, doon talaga napatunayan na kailangan gawin talaga,” he said.

     

    Rondina echoed that self-assessment, admitting that urgency sometimes works against them instead of for them.

     

    “Same lang din sa sagot ni coach. Nawawalan… Naiinip lang siguro kami. May mga bagay na nakukuha na sana namin yung rhythm, pero nakakalimutan namin na yung lahat ng gustong mangyari ni coach is effective, pero hindi namin nagagawa,” she said.

     

    “Yun din yung pagtutuunan namin ng pansin — na kailangan namin matutunan yun.”

     

    For now, Choco Mucho finds itself in unfamiliar early turbulence—armed with talent, tested by adversity, and reminded that cohesion doesn’t arrive on opening night. Whether this rough patch becomes a detour or a turning point will depend on how quickly the Flying Titans turn lessons into habits, and patience into progress.

     

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  • Creamline beats rival, Cignal shows nerves of steel in twin PVL thrillers

    Creamline beats rival, Cignal shows nerves of steel in twin PVL thrillers

    If the All-Filipino Conference was searching for early proof that reputation alone won’t carry teams, Tuesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena delivered it—twice. One match was about restoring order. The other was about surviving chaos.

     

    Creamline, bruised from an opening-day stumble, played like a champion unwilling to entertain doubt. Choco Mucho, meanwhile, showed fight and flair but once again learned how thin the margin is against a team built for closing moments.

     

    From the opening serve, the Cool Smashers didn’t overwhelm so much as absorb. The first set unfolded in jagged bursts—blocks, quick attacks, defensive scrambles—until Creamline leaned on composure to escape, 27-25. When Choco Mucho punched back hard in the second, leveling the match with authority, the arena sensed the familiar tension that has long defined this rivalry.

     

    That tension broke in the third. Creamline tightened the screws defensively, controlled tempo, and reclaimed momentum. By the fourth set, with Eya Laure sidelined, the Cool Smashers shifted fully into execution mode—efficient, disciplined, and unapologetically clinical—to close out a 27-25, 17-25, 25-21, 25-15 rebound win in just under two hours.

     

    Bernadette Pons embodied that reset. Her triple-double—19 points, 18 excellent receptions, and 13 digs—was less about volume than reliability. After a quiet opener, Pangs Panaga (12 points) and Jema Galanza (11) rediscovered rhythm, while Tots Carlos matched Galanza’s output. Jia De Guzman, steady as ever, stitched it all together with eight points, three kill blocks, and 20 excellent sets—leadership expressed in choices, not noise.

     

    Choco Mucho showed plenty of promise. Laure’s 19 points came before she was forced out, Rondina battled to 15, and Lorraine Pecaña added 10. But when rallies stretched and decisions sharpened, Creamline once again owned the moment—improving to 1-1 while handing the Flying Titans a second straight loss.

     

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    Earlier in the evening, composure took a different shape.

     

    Cignal didn’t dominate Farm Fresh; it endured them.

     

    What unfolded was a two-hour, 10-minute test of patience and nerve, with the Super Spikers escaping 25-17, 26-24, 20-25, 30-28 to claim solo possession of first place. Leads vanished, deficits loomed, and set points came and went—but Cignal never blinked.

     

    Down five in the second set, they clawed back. After dropping the third, they stood firm in a fourth-set marathon, saving two set points and trading blows deep into extra points before finally breaking through.

     

    Vanie Gandler was the axis. Her 25-point outburst came with 17 excellent digs and 15 receptions—an all-around performance that earned Best Player of the Game and defined Cignal’s refusal to fold. Erika Santos chipped in 15, many at the most volatile junctures, while Gel Cayuna’s 19 excellent sets and timely 1-2 plays kept Farm Fresh perpetually off-balance.

     

    The Foxies were left with another near-miss. Trisha Tubu’s 19 points led the charge, Ces Molina had 18, and Royse Tubino added 14. Statistically, Farm Fresh matched Cignal blow for blow. Practically, the difference came down to errors—29 free points conceded, including the final two that sealed their fate.

     

    Two matches, two messages.

     

    Creamline reminded everyone why championships aren’t surrendered easily. Cignal showed that grit, not flash, can anchor an early run. And in a conference already punishing complacency, both wins felt heavier than a single mark in the standings.

     

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  • Alyssa Valdez happy to see former mentor Tai Bundit back with Alas Pilipinas Women 

    Alyssa Valdez happy to see former mentor Tai Bundit back with Alas Pilipinas Women 

    Timing has a funny way of shaping careers, and for Alyssa Valdez, Tai Bundit’s return to the Philippine women’s national volleyball team feels less like coincidence and more like a moment that has been quietly building for years.

     

    Bundit, the Thai tactician behind some of the most dominant eras in Philippine volleyball, has been appointed head coach of Alas Pilipinas Women — a role that reunites him not only with the national program, but also with familiar faces who helped define his legacy in the country.

     

    One of them is setter Jia de Guzman, now the Alas Pilipinas Women captain, who once ran Bundit’s system during their championship years together. Their paths crossed again during the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand last December, where the Philippine squad endured another painful fourth-place finish — a result that only underscored how much the program has been searching for direction.

     

    Watching from courtside was Valdez, no longer in uniform but still deeply connected to the national team, this time working as a correspondent for Cignal. From that vantage point, she saw more than just a familiar coach returning — she saw a long-awaited chance for growth.

     

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    “I’m very happy for Coach Tai. Kasi I think one of the things din na nilu-look forward niya siguro ay mag-coach ulit ng women’s at makatulong sa volleyball program ng Philippines,” Valdez said during the SEA Games. “So I’m just really happy for him.”

     

    Bundit’s history in Philippine volleyball is impossible to separate from Valdez’s own rise. Together with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, they built the “Heartstrong” identity that powered back-to-back UAAP championships in Seasons 76 and 77 — a culture that emphasized discipline, resilience, and trust.

    That same philosophy later carried over to the professional ranks, where Bundit helped establish Creamline Cool Smashers as a dynasty, winning titles in the 2018 Reinforced, 2018 Open, and 2019 Open Conferences.

     

    Yet, beyond trophies, Valdez remembers Bundit most for the way he shaped her as a player.

    “Marami rin akong natutunan kay Coach Tai,” Valdez mused. “I feel like I had my best games then under him.”

     

    Under Bundit’s guidance, Valdez claimed three UAAP Most Valuable Player awards and later earned another MVP nod in the 2018 PVL Open Conference — achievements that defined her as one of the sport’s icons.

     

    The bond clearly remains intact. During their time in Thailand, the Creamline Cool Smashers even visited Bundit’s restaurant, a quiet reminder that relationships built through volleyball often extend far beyond the court.

     

    Valdez once summed up that connection in a 2016 birthday greeting, writing: “Two different cultures. Two opposite personalities. One common denominator… passion and love for the sport.”

     

    Now, as Bundit prepares to take on the challenge of leading Alas Pilipinas Women, Valdez sees opportunity — not just for wins, but for development.

     

    “So really looking forward na makita, if ever matuloy yan, makita siya na matulungan at maturuan itong mga nasa national team natin,” she said.

     

    The Philippine National Volleyball Federation confirmed that Bundit had long been on its radar, especially with coach Jorge de Brito’s contract set to expire at the end of 2025.

     

    “Yeah, nasa wishlist siya,” PNVF president Tony Boy Liao said. “If you will say, medyo champion coach—lahat ng teams na binanggit ko, pinag-champion siya.”

     

    For Valdez, the story isn’t just about a decorated coach coming back. It’s about experience meeting urgency — and the belief that the lessons that once built champions might now help lift the national team to where it has long aspired to be.

     

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  • Alas Pilipinas Beach Volleybelles get hero’s welcome from World Balance after SEA Games breakthrough

    Alas Pilipinas Beach Volleybelles get hero’s welcome from World Balance after SEA Games breakthrough

    The echoes of history from the 2025 Southeast Asian Games are still being felt, and this time, they reached the halls of a proud Filipino brand.

     

    Fresh from delivering the Philippines’ first-ever women’s beach volleyball gold at the SEA Games last December, the Alas Pilipinas quartet of Sisi Rondina, Bernadeth Pons, Dij Rodriguez, and Sunny Villapando received special recognition from World Balance, a local sports brand that has long championed homegrown athletes.

     

    The SEA Games gold medalists were welcomed at World Balance’s new headquarters, where the visit went beyond a simple courtesy call. 

     

    The athletes were given a tour of the brand’s creative and design spaces, offering them a closer look at how campaigns are built around Filipino excellence and how sports development remains central to the company’s mission.

     

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    For World Balance, the recognition was more than a celebration—it was a statement. The brand emphasized that honoring the beach volleybelles reflects its continued commitment to supporting local athletes and spotlighting achievements that can spark inspiration among young Filipinos dreaming of representing the country.

     

    The moment carried added weight given the magnitude of the team’s SEA Games triumph. Rondina, Pons, Rodriguez, and Villapando etched their names into Philippine sports history by toppling eight-time defending champion Thailand, a victory that signaled a turning point for the country’s beach volleyball program.

     

    As accolades continue to come in, the recognition from World Balance stands as another reminder that the team’s breakthrough has not only elevated Philippine beach volleyball—but also strengthened the growing bond between local athletes and brands that believe in their potential.

     

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  • Jema Galanza admits she’s still adjusting to the PVL after a long injury layoff

    Jema Galanza admits she’s still adjusting to the PVL after a long injury layoff

    The roar of the crowd, the grind of extended rallies, the tension that comes with every big point—Jema Galanza finally felt all of it again.

     

    After spending more than four months away from competitive action due to a lingering left foot injury, the Creamline star made her long-awaited return to the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) court on Thursday night. It was a comeback filled with emotion, anticipation, and unfamiliar nerves—one that marked a significant personal milestone, even if the result didn’t go as planned.

     

    Creamline’s straight-set loss to PLDT dampened what was expected to be a celebratory evening for the Cool Smashers, particularly for Galanza, who had patiently endured months of rehabilitation just to get back into game shape. The defeat served as a reminder that while returning to action is one hurdle, rediscovering rhythm and confidence after a long layoff is another challenge altogether.

     

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    Despite the setback, Galanza was candid in assessing her performance, acknowledging that she is still very much in the process of adjusting to life back on the court.

     

    “Of course, it wasn’t enough. I know the training I put in throughout January, and it really fell short. I guess there was a mix of excitement and nerves. It feels different being back after so long. It’s just saddening that it wasn’t enough,” Galanza said in a media interaction.

    The star outside hitter stressed that pressure was not the issue, but rather the absence of game rhythm that only real competition can restore.

     

    “Actually, there wasn’t any pressure, and I wasn’t really overthinking anything. It was more about getting back into the habit of how to play inside the court. Since I haven’t played in four months. It’s been a long time since I felt that kind of pressure or the rhythm of the game. I guess I’m just still adjusting,” she added.

     

    Galanza’s return also coincided with a significant development for Creamline—the long-awaited reunion of its core. Setter Jia De Guzman and fellow wing spiker Bernadeth Pons also suited up, allowing the Cool Smashers to field a complete lineup for the first time in quite a while. The sight of the team back at full strength brought renewed energy to training camp and optimism heading into the All-Filipino Conference.

     

    For Galanza, the presence of familiar faces and longtime teammates provided an emotional lift, reinforcing the chemistry that has been built through years of championships and shared battles.

     

    “Actually, when training started, it was exciting that we are finally all complete. Back then, we didn’t know what would happen, who the ‘first six’ would be, or how our training would go,” Galanza concluded.

     

    While the loss to PLDT underscored that Creamline still has work to do, Galanza remains confident that time and repetition will allow the team—and herself—to regain form. With the core intact and the season just getting underway, the Cool Smashers are banking on familiarity, patience, and trust in their system to carry them forward.

     

    The 2019 PVL Most Valuable Player will look to build on her comeback and help Creamline secure its first win of the All-Filipino Conference when the Cool Smashers take on the Choco Mucho Flying Titans on Tuesday, February 10, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

     

     

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  • Creamline and Choco Mucho headline exciting PVL Tuesday double-header 

    Creamline and Choco Mucho headline exciting PVL Tuesday double-header 

    What looks predictable on paper rarely stays that way once the ball is in the air.

     

    For years, the Creamline–Choco Mucho rivalry in the Premier Volleyball League has leaned heavily toward one direction. Championships, head-to-heads, and defining moments have mostly belonged to the Cool Smashers, leaving the Flying Titans chasing breakthroughs rather than banners.

     

    And yet, when these sister teams meet, logic tends to loosen its grip.

     

    Inside the Mall of Asia Arena, numbers blur and narratives shift. Creamline yellow and Choco Mucho green split the stands, chants clash mid-rally, and momentum feels as loud as it is fragile. Few PVL matchups generate the same emotional density — the sense that something can tilt at any moment, regardless of history.

     

    That feeling is even sharper heading into Tuesday’s 6:30 p.m. showdown.

     

    Both teams enter the All-Filipino Conference still searching for footing. In a tournament defined by parity, early losses don’t just hurt the standings — they plant doubt. And for two teams used to carrying expectations, doubt can be just as dangerous as any opponent.

     

    Creamline, in particular, is navigating unfamiliar pressure. A year removed from a historic Grand Slam, the Cool Smashers ended 2025 without a title and now face the rare possibility of back-to-back losses. It’s a scenario that speaks less about decline and more about how unforgiving the league has become.

     

    Help, however, has arrived. The return of Jia De Guzman and Jema Galanza restores rhythm and leadership. Tots Carlos and Bea De Leon are finally healthy, while libero Jen Nierva anchors a defense determined to steady a team eager to reassert who it is.

     

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    Across the net, Choco Mucho senses an opening.

     

    The Flying Titans are no longer built around a single offensive pillar. The arrival of Eya Laure has reshaped their attack, easing the burden on Sisi Rondina and giving the team new dimensions. With Dindin Manabat and Lorraine Pecaña finding consistency early, and Rondina back to full strength, belief — not just preparation — fuels Choco Mucho this time.

     

    History still leans Creamline’s way. But belief, urgency, and timing belong to no one.

    That unresolved tension is what gives this rivalry its pulse — and what makes this encounter feel like more than another chapter.

     

    While that match draws the spotlight, the earlier 4 p.m. duel between Cignal and Farm Fresh carries consequences that may ripple just as far.

     

    Cignal’s resurgence has been one of the early stories of the conference. Under coach Shaq delos Santos, the Super Spikers are embracing a system inspired by Japanese volleyball — faster tempo, sharper spacing, and an emphasis on movement over muscle. Fresh from a training camp in Japan, Cignal isn’t just winning games; it’s redefining how it wants to win them.

     

    A third straight victory would give them solo possession of first place — but it won’t come easy.

    Farm Fresh enters as a dangerous disruptor. The Foxies are still stinging from a collapse against Nxled, yet their roster brims with offensive potential. Trisha Tubu and Ces Molina remain the foundation, now joined by reinforcements Royse Tubino, Mylene Paat, and Ara Galang — players hungry to prove they can shape outcomes, not just fill rotations.

     

    Tubino’s strong debut and Paat’s steady presence hint at upside, while Galang’s quiet start feels more transitional than concerning. If Farm Fresh sharpens its late-game execution, it has the tools to derail Cignal’s momentum and scramble the early conference hierarchy.

     

    In a league where every win weighs heavier than the last, Tuesday isn’t just about rivalries or rebounds.

     

    It’s about identity — and who finds theirs first.

     

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  • PLDT’s Savannah Davison named PVL Player of the Week for January 31–February 6

    PLDT’s Savannah Davison named PVL Player of the Week for January 31–February 6

    The opening days of the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference have already sent a resounding message: continuity matters, and momentum can define a team’s success. PLDT High Speed Hitters showcased this truth in emphatic fashion, extending their dominance over Creamline to a remarkable five-game winning streak that has now spanned 811 days.

     

    On Thursday at the Playtime Filoil Centre, PLDT wasted no time asserting its authority over the league’s most decorated franchise, sweeping the Cool Smashers 25-22, 25-17, 25-23 in a display of precision, pace, and cohesion. What once seemed like an occasional upset has now become a pattern, as PLDT continues to prove that experience, preparation, and momentum are invaluable assets in the All-Filipino Conference.

     

    Central to PLDT’s brilliance was star outside hitter Savannah Davison, who lived up to her superstar reputation with a commanding performance from start to finish. She exploded in the opening set, racking up 13 points alone and immediately setting the tone for her team. Creamline, relying on their championship pedigree and experience, tried to mount a comeback, but PLDT’s defense, offensive rhythm, and composure under pressure kept the Cool Smashers at bay. By the final whistle, Davison had recorded a conference-first triple-double, totaling 25 points, 11 digs, and 10 receptions—a performance that demonstrated her all-around dominance on the court.

     

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    “I have been working a lot on patience and waiting all week, and not trying to come out strong because Creamline and their fans can make it a really hard environment to play in,” Davison said after the match. “I’m just glad that we were able to keep calm and stick to our 80 percent throughout the match.”

    Acknowledging the challenge presented by the seasoned Cool Smashers, she added, “You know what, they were pretty intimidating when they came out. I’m not going to lie, all of them were complete. I knew it was going to be a hard match. Like I said, I’m just happy that we were able to win tonight. We try to do this every game coming forward. I don’t want to take it to our head, but it’s one game at a time.”

     

    For her exceptional play, Davison was named the first recipient of the 2026 All-Filipino Conference PVL Player of the Week award, presented by Pilipinas Live for the period of January 31 to February 6. The 27-year-old standout outshone competition from some of the league’s top names, including Capital1 Solar Spikers’ Bella Belen, Nxled Chameleons’ Brooke Van Sickle and Myla Pablo, Cignal Super Spikers’ Erika Santos and Vanie Gandler, Choco Mucho Flying Titans’ Sisi Rondina, and Galeries Tower Highrisers’ Erika Deloria. The award, voted on by print and online reporters covering the league, recognized Davison’s leadership, versatility, and game-changing impact.

     

    PLDT’s victory not only reinforces their streak against Creamline but also signals their intent to be serious contenders in the All-Filipino Conference. Currently placed third in the standings, the High Speed Hitters will look to carry this momentum forward when they face the Capital1 Solar Spikers in their next match on Thursday, February 12, at the FilOil Centre. With Davison leading the charge and a balanced roster ready to step up, PLDT’s blend of experience, teamwork, and resilience could make them one of the most formidable teams in this year’s conference.

     

    As the All-Filipino Conference unfolds, one thing is clear: PLDT has set a high standard for consistency and performance, and with players like Davison in peak form, the league’s fans can expect thrilling matches and high-stakes competition in the weeks ahead.

     

     

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  • Julia Coronel ends a 345-day wait with Galeries Tower breakthrough

    Julia Coronel ends a 345-day wait with Galeries Tower breakthrough

    For 345 days, Julia Coronel carried more than just the ball for Galeries Tower—she carried the weight of a franchise stuck in neutral.

     

    Loss after loss blurred into routine, even as the Highrisers tore everything down in the offseason. A new coaching staff. A near-total roster overhaul. Fresh promises that required patience. Through it all, Coronel stayed, steady but human, quietly wrestling with doubt as the losses piled up.

     

    “Gusto ko lang i-share na last night, medyo nagkaroon ako ng mga iilan na doubts,” Coronel admitted.

     

    “Ang tagal ko na rin sa team na ‘to at mataas na rin ‘yung ine-expect ko sa team namin ngayon na kaya talaga dapat naming makipagsabayan pero lagi lang kaming kinakapos in the past.”

     

    On Saturday night, nearly a year after their last victory, those doubts finally loosened their grip.

     

    Coronel piloted Galeries Tower to a long-awaited five-set win over ZUS Coffee, snapping a 17-game skid and ending a 345-day drought that had defined both her early pro career and the franchise’s growing pains. It wasn’t just a win—it was proof that staying the course hadn’t been pointless.

     

    The Alas Pilipinas playmaker delivered with composure and command, finishing with 16 excellent sets and eight points while steering a balanced attack that saw four Highrisers score in double figures. When the match tightened, it was Coronel’s poise that kept Galeries Tower from slipping back into familiar territory.

     

    Drafted third overall two years ago, the victory marked just the third win of Coronel’s young PVL career—and only the third five-set triumph in Galeries Tower’s three-year history, following narrow escapes against Gerflor in 2023 and Capital1 in 2024. Small milestones on paper, but massive ones for a team desperate for something to build on.

     

     

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    For Coronel, the moment went far beyond the scoreboard.

     

    “For the longest time, that’s the kind of culture that we’ve been wanting to build, that winning culture. And slowly, we’re getting there,” she said.

     

    “Alam kong may purpose lahat ‘tong pinagdadaanan talaga namin. I just use each and every day as motivation to keep showing up.”

     

    The breakthrough didn’t come without resistance. ZUS Coffee erased a 0–2 deficit behind Chinnie Arroyo, Thea Gagate, Wielyn Estoque, and Riza Nogales, pushing the match to its limits. In the third set, Galeries Tower stormed back from a 9–16 hole to briefly take a 23–22 lead, only to surrender three straight points and allow the Thunderbelles to extend the fight.

     

    This time, though, Galeries Tower didn’t fold.

     

    “Nagtulong-tulong lang ang lahat, at we’re happy that we finally got the elusive win,” Coronel said.

     

    “So, sobrang happy ako sa team tonight na kumapit talaga kaming lahat.”

     

    Even when execution wavered, Coronel pointed to the steady reminders from the bench that kept the group grounded.

     

    “Kahit may mga times na nawawala kami sa sistema, patuloy kaming nire-remind ng coaches na bumalik sa game plan,” she added.

     

    After 345 days of waiting, losing, and questioning, Coronel finally has something concrete to show for the faith she never fully abandoned. The drought is over. The rebuild has a heartbeat. And for Galeries Tower, the win wasn’t just overdue—it was necessary.

     

     

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