For years, Creamline has mastered the art of winning in the present.
Now, the Cool Smashers appear to be making a move for the future.
Fresh off another successful campaign, the league’s most decorated franchise has quietly begun addressing a challenge that often accompanies sustained dominance: time.
The arrival of former Cignal standout Ishie Lalongisip may not carry the same immediate fanfare as a marquee signing, but it could prove to be one of Creamline’s most important additions in recent years.
At 24 years old, Lalongisip joins a roster built around battle-tested veterans who have delivered 11 championships to the franchise. More importantly, she arrives at a time when Creamline has openly acknowledged the need to start preparing for the next generation.
For months, head coach Sherwin Meneses repeatedly pointed to the same reality. While the Cool Smashers remained at the top of the PVL, their championship core was also growing older.
The concern wasn’t about the present.
It was about what comes after it.
That makes Lalongisip’s arrival feel less like a routine acquisition and more like the first visible piece of a larger transition.
OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.
She becomes just the seventh player on Creamline’s roster born in 2000 or later, adding youth, athleticism, and offensive upside to a squad whose average age is nearing 29 years old.
The timing is notable.
Only days ago, Meneses discussed the importance of securing younger players through the PVL Draft, stressing the need to identify eventual successors to the veteran group that has carried the franchise through one of the most dominant dynasties in league history.
Instead of waiting for draft night, Creamline may have already landed one of its answers.
Lalongisip also represents part of a larger reshuffling across the league following Cignal’s leave of absence from the PVL. The former Adamson standout became the seventh former Cignal player to secure a new home, joining a growing list of talents dispersing throughout the league.
For Creamline, however, her value extends beyond simply replacing depth.
The Cool Smashers are chasing a difficult balance that every championship organization eventually faces — remaining strong enough to contend today while becoming young enough to compete tomorrow.
Lalongisip fits squarely within that vision.
She offers the possibility of immediate contributions while also providing something Creamline increasingly needs: time.
The franchise’s veteran core remains intact, and its championship expectations remain unchanged. But as the Cool Smashers continue looking for ways to extend their dynasty, the addition of Lalongisip suggests the organization is no longer focused solely on defending titles.
It is also beginning to build what comes next.
Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!
Follow our Facebook page Sports PH News today and join the community of passionate sports fans.