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Tag: Creamline Cool Smashers

  • “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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  • 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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  • 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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  • Savannah Davison praises Jia De Guzman after PLDT’s sweep of Creamline

    Savannah Davison praises Jia De Guzman after PLDT’s sweep of Creamline

    The opening days of the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference sent a clear message: continuity matters, and momentum is real.

     

    PLDT wasted no time asserting its dominance over Creamline, delivering a confident 25-22, 25-17, 25-23 sweep on Thursday at the Playtime Filoil Centre. What once felt like an occasional upset has now become a pattern, as the High Speed Hitters stretched their unbeaten run against the league’s most decorated franchise to five consecutive games—a remarkable streak that has spanned 811 days.

     

    At the heart of PLDT’s brilliance was reigning MVP Savannah Davison, who looked every bit the superstar she is. She exploded early, scoring 13 points in the opening set alone, immediately setting the tone for the match. Creamline, relying on experience and championship pedigree, tried to mount a comeback, but PLDT’s pace, precision, and cohesion never wavered.

     

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    Even the long-awaited return of Creamline’s championship core—Jia de Guzman, Bernadeth Pons, Jema Galanza, and Dij Rodriguez—could not disrupt PLDT’s rhythm. The High Speed Hitters, largely intact from last year’s title run with the only change being Seth Rodriguez replacing Dell Palomata, displayed the fluidity and understanding of a team that has been building together for years.

     

    Davison finished with a conference-first triple-double, tallying 25 points, 11 digs, and 10 receptions, while Kianna Dy, Jovy Prado, and PLDT’s supporting cast ensured the offense remained balanced and relentless.

    For Davison, this marked the first time she faced a full-strength Creamline squad since joining PLDT in October 2023. The star outside hitter was quick to praise the formidable lineup, particularly the returning Jia de Guzman, who rejoined the PVL after a three-year absence.

     

    “You know what, they were pretty intimidating when they came out. I’m not going to lie, all of them were complete. Seeing them all together and seeing how individually they are strong athletes, it can be a little intimidating when you are watching them line up,” Davison said.

     

    “I mean, Jia’s hands are really hard to read. I’m not going to lie. I thought I could swing either way. But that coming out, the whole lineup together, I don’t think I have seen that since the first year I was here,” she added.

     

    Despite the commanding victory over a PVL powerhouse, Davison emphasized the need for focus and humility as PLDT embarks on a long All-Filipino campaign.

     

    “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,” she concluded.

     

    With momentum firmly on their side, PLDT will aim to continue their winning ways when they face the Capital1 Solar Spikers in their next game on Thursday, February 12, at the FilOil Centre. The High Speed Hitters will look to maintain their composure and intensity as they seek to cement themselves as early favorites in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference.

     

     

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  • Jema Galanza embraces comeback, eyes bounce-back despite Creamline loss

    Jema Galanza embraces comeback, eyes bounce-back despite Creamline loss

    The roar of the crowd, the grind of long rallies, the pressure of big points—Jema Galanza finally had them all back. After four months away from competition due to a lingering left foot injury, the Creamline star returned to the PVL court with a mix of excitement and unfamiliar nerves. What she didn’t get, however, was the result she hoped for.


    Creamline’s straight-set loss to PLDT on Thursday put a damper on what was supposed to be a celebratory night for the Cool Smashers, especially for Galanza, who had waited patiently through rehabilitation just to feel game action again.

     

    “Siguro, may excitement na may kaba. Nakakapanibago na ngayon lang ulit nakabalik. Nakakalungkot lang na kinulang,” Galanza admitted after the match.

     

    While the defeat stung, the returning hitter was clear that pressure wasn’t part of her mindset heading into the game. Instead, it was the rhythm of competition—something no amount of training can fully replicate—that took time to rediscover.

     

    “Actually, wala namang pressure o wala naman akong inisip talaga. Yung pagkasanay lang kung paano ka maglalaro sa loob kasi four months din akong di naglaro. Ang tagal ko ring di na-feel yung pressure, yung laro, ganyan. Siguro, naninibago lang,” she shared.

     

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    Galanza’s comeback also coincided with the long-awaited return of Creamline’s core, as Jia De Guzman and Bernadeth Pons suited up alongside her. For the first time in a while, the Cool Smashers finally fielded a complete lineup—something Galanza said brought excitement from the very start of training camp.

     

    “Actually, nung start ng training, nakaka-excite na lahat kumpleto na kami. Ayun, di nga namin alam ano ang mangyayari, sino ang first six, o ano ang itatakbo ng training namin, pero ngayong game lang, sad lang talaga na kinulang,” she said.

     

    Still, Galanza remains optimistic. Years of playing together, shared championships, and countless battles have built a foundation she believes will eventually show itself as the conference unfolds.

    “Pero alam naman din namin na ang tagal na naming magkakasama, magkakakilala. Alam naman din namin na makakabawi kami sa next games this conference.”

     

    For Galanza, the loss was only one part of the story. The bigger win was simply being back—healthy, competing, and ready to help Creamline find its stride again.

     

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  • “There are no excuses for us anymore”: Michele Gumabao confident in full-strength Creamline squad

    “There are no excuses for us anymore”: Michele Gumabao confident in full-strength Creamline squad

    The Creamline Cool Smashers, one of the Premier Volleyball League’s (PVL) most dominant teams, are determined to bounce back after a disappointing 2025 calendar year — their first season since 2018 without a single conference championship.

     

    Fresh off a historic Grand Slam in 2024, where Creamline captured all three titles — the All-Filipino, Invitational, and Reinforced Conferences — the team faced an unexpected setback last year, falling short of their lofty standards. Despite the challenges, star opposite hitter Michele Gumabao remains confident that Creamline can reclaim its winning ways in the ongoing All-Filipino Conference, pointing to the return of a fully-fit roster as a major boost.

     

    “Very motivated ang Creamline talaga. I think mas naging focused kami on the details. Mas naging mindful kami of all our mistakes and our errors and our shortcomings, so mas focused, I would say, mas determined,” Gumabao said during a media interaction.

     

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    The veteran player emphasized that the team is entering this season with a renewed sense of purpose and accountability.

     

    “There are no excuses for us anymore this year. Kompleto kami, we are healthy, and we wanna play our best, so looking forward talaga to this season if makamit namin ‘yung mga goals namin,” she added.

    One of the biggest factors in Creamline’s renewed optimism is the return of key players. The team will be at full strength this conference, welcoming back Alas Pilipinas captain Jia De Guzman, who returns after a three-year absence, and Bernadeth Pons, fresh from her stint with the Alas Pilipinas beach volleyball squad. Gumabao highlighted the significance of having a complete, healthy roster for the first time in a long while.

     

    “Sana tuloy-tuloy ‘yung pagiging healthy ng team. Ang dami naming teammates na babalik — may galing abroad, may galing national team, may galing injury. Matagal na rin na hindi kami naging kompleto sabay-sabay na conditioned. Even our first six, parang hindi pa rin talaga naglalaro for quite a while,” she said.

     

    The 33-year-old star stressed that while Creamline boasts experience and talent, they will not take anything for granted on the court. Maintaining performance and conditioning remains a priority as the team aims to regain its championship form.

     

    “Lagi namang mataas ang expectations namin for each other. We always aim to reach the end, but we still need to maintain performance and conditioning,” Gumabao concluded.

     

    Creamline is set to open their All-Filipino Conference campaign on Thursday, February 5, facing the PLDT High Speed Hitters at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan. The matchup is more than just an opener; it is an early test of whether Creamline’s renewed roster, blending returning veterans and fully conditioned stars, can quickly regain the dominance that has long defined the franchise.

     

    As the PVL All-Filipino Conference kicks off, all eyes will be on Creamline — a team seeking not just to win games, but to reestablish its legacy as a powerhouse in Philippine volleyball. With a fully-fit squad, heightened focus, and a hunger to reclaim their former glory, the Cool Smashers are poised to make a strong statement right from the opening whistle.

     

     

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  • Creamline eyes PVL All-Filipino title after star-studded comeback

    Creamline eyes PVL All-Filipino title after star-studded comeback

    Even after missing out on a title last season, Creamline remains the team to watch as the PVL All-Filipino Conference kicks off Saturday in San Juan. 

     

    Despite roster shake-ups across the league, rival coaches are wary of the Cool Smashers’ mix of championship pedigree, returning stars, and depth.

     

    Eight-time Best Setter Jia de Guzman makes her much-anticipated return after nearly three years abroad with Japan’s Denso Airybees, where she captured a V.Cup title. 

     

    Alongside her, former league MVP Bernadeth Pons comes off a busy national team season, which included winning the country’s first-ever SEA Games beach volleyball gold medal with Sisi Rondina and others.

     

    “The return of Jia really makes a difference,” noted Capital1 coach Jorge Souza de Brito. Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin agreed: “Sa’kin siguro ‘yung Creamline pa rin kasi maraming nagbalik, maraming naghahangad na matalo sila.”

     

    Adding more firepower is Jema Galanza, who sat out last season’s import-laden conference with a foot injury, and former Chery Tiggo libero Jennifer Nierva, strengthening Creamline’s defensive wall. 

     

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    Even as teams like PLDT, Akari, and Choco Mucho refresh their lineups, coaches admit Creamline remains the benchmark. “Agree ako kay coach Shaq saka kay coach Sherwin – sarili muna, tapos Creamline,” said PLDT coach Rald Ricafort, acknowledging the Cool Smashers’ intimidating presence.

     

    Cignal head coach Shaq Delos Santos echoed the sentiment: “I think siguro ‘yung pinaka-excited kami makalaban ‘yung team muna namin… but to be honest PLDT, Creamline, Akari, Choco – lahat talaga.” Nxled coach Ettore Guidetti also singled out Creamline as a team he’s most eager to face, along with the High Speed Hitters.

     

     With 10 teams competing and talent spread evenly across the league, parity has never been higher. Yet, as the All-Filipino Conference begins, it’s the seasoned, reloaded, and refocused Creamline Cool Smashers who command the spotlight—and the questions: can they reclaim their place atop the PVL, or will last year’s empty finish cast a shadow?

     

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  •  “I’m really excited to see how much the league has changed”: Jia De Guzman on PVL return

     “I’m really excited to see how much the league has changed”: Jia De Guzman on PVL return

    Philippine women’s national volleyball team captain Jia De Guzman is set to make her long-awaited return to the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), reuniting with her former club, the Creamline Cool Smashers, after nearly two years competing overseas with the Denso Airybees in the Japan Volleyball League (JVL).

     

    De Guzman’s homecoming marks the end of an extended international stint that saw her pursue elite competition abroad while simultaneously carrying the responsibility of leading the Alas Pilipinas program. Now back in the country’s top professional league, the veteran playmaker is embracing both the familiarity of Creamline and the new realities of a PVL that has evolved significantly during her absence.

     

    “Actually, I have been out of the PVL for almost three years now, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t watching as the other teams continued to evolve. I’m really excited to see how much the PVL has changed, and I’m more than ready to embrace the challenge. We are all excited to play,” De Guzman said in a media interaction.

     

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    The last time De Guzman suited up for Creamline was during the 2023 PVL Invitational Conference, where the Cool Smashers fell short in the knockout title game against Japanese guest team Kurashiki Ablaze. Since then, the competitive landscape of the league has shifted. Creamline, once the league’s dominant force, was unable to defend all of its championships last year, while several players across the league have emerged as bona fide superstars.

     

    Among them are reigning Most Valuable Player Brooke Van Sickle, PLDT High Speed Hitters standout Savannah Davison, Capital1 Solar Spikers’ Bella Belen, and ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles’ rising middle blocker Thea Gagate—names that now define a deeper, more competitive PVL.

    “With all of the teams stepping up, with a new Creamline team coming together, I’m also trying to find my way with the team to hopefully share my international experience in the PVL. But at the same time, whatever the team needs from me, I will be ready to support and do my best to deliver,” she added.

     

    De Guzman’s return also adds another layer to Creamline’s already potent roster, particularly in the playmaking department. During her absence, setter Kyle Negrito emerged as a key figure for the Cool Smashers, helping stabilize the team and maintain its championship contention. Rather than viewing the situation as a competition, De Guzman emphasized unity and flexibility within the squad.

     

    “Whatever the coaches ask from us, whether it’s me inside or Kyle inside, we are just really ready to support each other. In the same way that we have a lot of liberos, but whoever’s inside is always supported by those on the outside,” Guzman continued.

     

    While away from the PVL, De Guzman continued to build an impressive résumé overseas. She played a pivotal role in leading the Denso Airybees to the 2023–24 Japan V.League Division 1 Women’s V.Cup title, showcasing her ability to thrive against world-class competition. She capped her stint in Japan with a silver medal finish at the prestigious 72nd Kurowashiki All Japan Volleyball Tournament, further cementing her status as one of Asia’s elite setters.

     

    Her impact was felt just as strongly on the international stage. As captain, De Guzman steered the Philippines to a historic silver medal finish at the 2025 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Nations Cup—marking the country’s first podium finish in an Asian women’s volleyball tournament in 64 years and signaling a new era for the national program.

     

    Now back in the PVL, De Guzman brings not only invaluable international experience but also a legacy of sustained excellence with Creamline. Her trophy haul includes eight PVL Best Setter awards, four PVL Finals MVP honors, and seven PVL championships with the Cool Smashers—credentials that make her return one of the most significant storylines of the season.

     

    With De Guzman once again orchestrating the offense, Creamline looks poised to reassert itself amid a league that is deeper, faster, and more competitive than ever—setting the stage for a compelling new chapter in PVL history.

     

     

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  • Bernadeth Pons brings championship fire back to Creamline as Cool Smashers reload for PVL All-Filipino Conference

    Bernadeth Pons brings championship fire back to Creamline as Cool Smashers reload for PVL All-Filipino Conference

    Creamline’s road back to the summit begins with a familiar spark — and this time, it’s coming straight from the sand.

     

    As the Cool Smashers gear up for the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference, the return of Bernadeth Pons signals more than just a roster boost. It marks a reset for a franchise that experienced something unfamiliar in 2025: a season without a title.

     

    Pons’ absence last year, a conscious decision to focus on beach volleyball, coincided with Creamline’s rare dry spell — their first since the pandemic interrupted league play. 

     

    While the trophies stopped coming indoors, Pons was quietly building momentum elsewhere. Alongside fellow Cool Smasher Dij Rodriguez, she reached the top of the podium at the 33rd SEA Games women’s beach volleyball tournament in Thailand, delivering international gold even as the club recalibrated at home.

     

    Now, with that chapter closed, Pons is back where she has long thrived — the hard court — carrying the urgency of unfinished business.

     

    Fresh from their SEA Games triumph on November 19, Pons and Rodriguez wasted no time easing back in. Training resumed shortly after New Year’s Day, with the duo rejoining Creamline sessions as early as January 2, a move that underscored the team’s renewed sense of purpose.

     

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    “’Yung goal talaga namin is makabalik sa taas, pero siyempre, hindi siya ganun kadaling makuha kaya everyday namin ‘yun paghahandaan talaga,” Pons said.


     “Simula January 2 pa lang, bumalik na kami, nag-ensayo na kami kaya paghihirapan talaga namin.”

     

    Creamline’s identity, after all, has never revolved around a single name. Across 10 championship runs, the Cool Smashers built their dynasty on depth, continuity, and chemistry — elements now coming back into focus. The expected returns of Jia de Guzman, Jema Galanza, and Bea de Leon have only amplified belief within the camp.

     

    “Sobrang saya kasi kumpleto na talaga kami,” Pons said. “Lahat kami nandito na. Si Jia, nandiyan na. ‘Yung mga injured before, makakabalik na rin so kumpleto talaga kami ngayon.”

     

    For Pons, the transition back to indoor volleyball has been intentional rather than rushed. Nearly all of 2025 was spent on sand as part of Alas Pilipinas Women’s Beach Volleyball’s SEA Games buildup, and while her fitness level remains high, the adjustment hasn’t been seamless.

     

    “Physically, siguro conditioned pa kami coming from beach [volleyball]. ‘Yung medyo mahirap and challenging sa’min is yung hard floor ulit,” Pons admitted.


     “Eight months kami nasa sand so mahirap din pagbalik. Pati rin ‘yung timing namin sa palo, medyo off pa.

     

    “’Yun pa ‘yung wino-workout namin everyday sa ensayo namin and hopefully, magtuloy-tuloy ‘yung progress.”

     

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