By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Creamline Cool Smashers rebounded from a slow start and asserted its dominance the rest of the way, defeating the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, 22-25, 25-17, 25-16, 25-18, in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan City on Tuesday, February 17.

Negrense Bernadeth Pons spearheaded the Cool Smashers offense with 19 points, including 16 attacks, while Diana Carlos and Jessica Galanza added 12 and 11 markers, respectively.

Setter Julia Morado-De Guzman orchestrated Creamline’s offense with precision and was named Player of the Game after tallying 25 excellent sets while also contributing 10 points built on six attacks, two blocks and two service aces.

The Cool Smashers shook off their opening-set loss and quickly regained control in the second and third frames behind their balanced attack and improved floor defense.

Creamline carried its momentum into the fourth set, overcoming an early deficit before pulling away late to seal the win and improve its record to 2-1 in the standings.

Chinnie Arroyo led the Thunderbelles with 18 points, while Thea Gagate added 11 markers as they dropped to 1-3 with the defeat.

Meanwhile, the Capital1 Solar Energy Power Spikers leaned on Mhicaela Belen’s all-around brilliance to outlast the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, 25-21, 18-25, 25-18, 19-25, 15-10.

Belen delivered a stellar performance with 29 points, on 25 attacks, two blocks and two service aces, along with 15 excellent digs and seven excellent receptions to be named Player of the Game for the Solar Spikers (2-2).

“I am very happy na naipanalo namin ‘yung game. Hindi naman namin ito maipapanalo itong game na ito kung hindi kami nagtulong-tulong,” Belen said in a post-game interview.

Choco Mucho, which fell to a 1-3 record, struggled to sustain its momentum in the deciding set despite forcing the extended match after taking the fourth frame./ASC, WDJ