Surprised more than shaken after yielding the opening set, the Creamline Cool Smashers quickly rediscovered their championship form, overpowering the Nxled Chameleons in the next three frames for a commanding 20-25, 25-13, 25-16, 25-18 victory in the PVL Reinforced Conference at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan on Thursday.

After an uncharacteristic stumble in the first set, the Cool Smashers swiftly regrouped, tightening their floor defense, sharpening their serves, and unleashing their trademark offensive rhythm. Once they settled in, it was all Creamline – a well-oiled machine firing on every cylinder and leaving the Chameleons gasping for answers.

“We were able to adjust quickly after a shaky start,” said Michele Gumabao, reflecting on the team’s resurgence and dominance beginning in Set 2. “The composure was there, the instructions from our coaches were clear, and we executed well.”

With the victory, Creamline improved to 4-2, tightening its grip on the No. 4 spot in the standings while boosting its campaign for a quarterfinal berth in the second phase of the two-round preliminaries. The Cool Smashers, however, are not taking their remaining matches lightly, aware that tougher challenges await against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans and the Cignal Super Spikers.

They face the Flying Titans on Nov. 13 at the Araneta Coliseum, followed by a duel with the Super Spikers on Nov. 18 at the Ynares Center in Montalban – two crucial matches that could define their playoff trajectory.

“We’ll use this period to rest, recover, and regroup,” said Gumabao, who clinched the Best Player of the Game honors with a 13-point performance, she laced with two blocks and two aces, acknowledging that their upcoming two matches will be anything but easy.

“’Yung mindset namin is ‘yung situation, kailangan muna maka-recover sa mga errors and maybe sa mga miscommunication namin nung first set. Happy naman kami kasi naka-recover kami from two to fourth sets,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses.

Storming ahead to a commanding 22-12 lead in the fourth set, the Cool Smashers suddenly found themselves under slight pressure as the Chameleons, led by import Paola Martinez, strung together five straight points to trim the deficit to five.

However, a service error by Jaja Maraguinot halted the Chameleons’ rally, and the Cool Smashers sealed the one-hour, 44-minute victory through a Coco Schwan through-the-block hit followed by a Martinez attack error.

Schwan finished with 14 points, while Pangs Panaga and Tots Carlos contributed 12 and 11, respectively. Despite Martinez’s 18 markers, Chiara Permentilla’s 14 and the combined 24-point output from Lyann de Guzman, Krich Macaslang, Jeycel De Guzman, and Maraguinot, the Chameleons could only match Creamline’s 48 attack points.

Creamline, however, asserted its superiority in other scoring departments – dominating in blocks (10-6) and service aces (10-5). The real difference lay in the Cool Smashers’ ability to capitalize on their opponents’ errors, converting 27 points off Nxled’s miscues while yielding only 13 of their own.

Schwan also anchored the team’s defense, tallying 14 excellent digs and 15 receptions to cap another stellar all-around performance.

By the second set, the defending champions were in complete control. Their offensive arsenal, led by relentless wing attacks and quick middle strikes, dismantled Nxled’s blocking wall. Their defense, anchored by impeccable floor coverage and net discipline, blunted every Chameleons counter. Even in the service game, Creamline dictated tempo, scoring aces and forcing poor first balls that disrupted Nxled’s offense.

The Cool Smashers’ experience and chemistry – honed by years of title runs and pressure matches – shone through. They dictated the pace, communicated seamlessly, and displayed the kind of composure that separates contenders from champions.

From that point on, Nxled’s early spark faded, replaced by frustration as Creamline imposed its will across every statistical and emotional front.

For Nxled, it was another night of heartbreak. The Chameleons showed early fight and energy in the opener but couldn’t sustain their momentum once the 10-time champions turned on the heat. The loss – their sixth straight – officially eliminated them from quarterfinal contention, marking a disappointing end to their campaign.

Creamline’s victory, however, was more than just a bounce-back; it was a statement – a reminder that when the Cool Smashers find their rhythm, they remain one of the most formidable forces in the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by ICTSI, Milcu, Mikasa and Fabriano.