Bracing for what many expected to be a routine romp, Creamline instead found itself tested – hard – but ultimately pulled through with its trademark championship composure, hacking out a 25-17, 25-17, 25-23 victory over Choco Mucho to secure a spot in the PVL Reinforced Conference quarterfinals Thursday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

What looked early on to be another smooth cruise for the defending champions after dominating the first two sets turned into a gritty test of will and character. The Flying Titans, playing for survival and pride, came alive in the third set, showing renewed purpose and turning the stretch into the kind of thrilling finish fans had been waiting for – one that could’ve gone either way.

Royse Tubino gave Choco Mucho a glimmer of hope late in the match, nailing a backrow attack that put the Titans ahead, 23-22. But the Cool Smashers, veterans of countless pressure-packed moments, didn’t flinch. Drawing from their experience built over multiple championship stints, they calmly weathered the storm.

Coco Schwan responded with a kill that forced the eighth deadlock of the set, before Michele Gumabao unleashed a powerful hit that glanced off libero Thang Ponce’s arms and went out of bounds – swinging the momentum back to Creamline.

In a frenetic exchange that followed – filled with blistering spikes, spectacular digs and gutsy floor defense – the Cool Smashers leaned on their vaunted net defense. They foiled Isa Molde’s third attack attempt, sealing not just the set and one-hour, 18-minute match but also their coveted ticket to the knockout quarterfinals, which kick off on Nov. 24, also at the Araneta Coliseum.

While Creamline moved on with a 5-2 record, Choco Mucho bowed out of contention at 2-5, its campaign marred by a fourth straight defeat.

“I think nag-perform and nag-respond yung team sa game ngayon especially yung mga outside hitter naming. Talagang nagtrabaho sa passing at yung mga bench players nag-deliver din. Team work talaga yung nagpanalo samin today,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses.

Playmaker Kyle Negrito, who dished out 18 excellent sets to earn Best Player of the Game honors, said the team’s mindset was clear heading into the final stretch of the prelims.

“Alam namin na sa mga natitirang laro, hindi puwedeng magpabaya,” said Negrito. “Kailangan naming pagtrabahuan bawat point, bawat possession. Our main goal is to execute our system properly, and we’re happy to have done that today, especially in straight sets.”

She added that staying calm in crucial moments remains a vital part of Creamline’s championship DNA.

“Down the stretch, composure talaga ang kailangan,” she said. “We know that if we let our guard down, Choco Mucho will take advantage. Kaya pinagtrabahuan namin ‘yun.”

The Cool Smashers’ depth and poise once again proved decisive – qualities they’ll need even more as they head into the business end of the tournament.

Schwan led the charge for Creamline, topping the scoreboard with 15 points, while Gumabao contributed a solid nine markers. Meanwhile, Tots Carlos, Pangs Panaga, Sheen Toring, Alyssa Valdez and Lorie Bernardo combined for an additional 24 points, showcasing the Cool Smashers’ depth and balanced offensive attack.

For Choco Mucho, Molde carried the scoring load with 11 points, providing a steady presence amid the team’s struggles. Import Marlee Smith had a slow start but found her rhythm in the third set, delivering a timely surge that helped ignite the Flying Titans’ attempted comeback through powerful combination plays.

Smith finished with five points overall, while Royse Tubino added six markers in a limited stint. Maddie Madayag and Kat Tolentino also chipped in, combining for 12 points to keep Choco Mucho competitive despite the uphill battle.

Creamline flexed its muscle early, shaking off a brief 2-5 deficit to seize control and surge ahead, 16-10. The Cool Smashers’ early rally was fueled by crisp execution and relentless pressure, capitalizing on Choco Mucho’s mishits and erratic plays to carve out a commanding lead. The defending champions’ composure and precision turned what began as a shaky start into an eight-point set win.

Valdez’s emphatic down-the-line kill fittingly punctuated the opening frame, sealing the set for a Creamline squad clearly intent on making quick work of its sister team. The Cool Smashers unleashed a 15-hit barrage – seven more than the Flying Titans – showcasing their offensive firepower and balance across the rotation. They also netted seven points off the Flying Titans’ unforced errors while yielding just four, effectively neutralizing Choco Mucho’s slim edge in blocks, 4-2.

More than just a strong start, Creamline’s dominant display reflected its determination to finish the job early, conserve energy, and shift focus to its next assignment against a resurgent Cignal side on Tuesday.

The Cool Smashers’ efficiency and urgency spoke volumes about a team that knows the value of momentum – keen on maintaining its winning rhythm as it sets its sights on the tougher challenges ahead.

Set 2 followed a familiar pattern as the Cool Smashers once again asserted their mastery, banking on near-impeccable chemistry, smart distribution and well-timed hits while capitalizing on the Flying Titans’ continued inconsistencies, including from the service line.

Creamline doubled Choco Mucho’s eight-point output at the second technical timeout, underscoring its dominance in execution and rhythm. The Cool Smashers’ fluid transitions from defense to offense kept the Flying Titans on their heels, forcing hurried attacks that often sailed long or wide. With their floor defense holding firm and their net coverage unyielding, Creamline’s collective effort effectively dismantled Choco Mucho’s play patterns and confidence, silencing the usually boisterous Choco Mucho’s faithful.

The Cool Smashers’ superiority showed in every facet – sharper setting choices, steadier serve reception, tighter blocking, and more composed decision-making under pressure. Even when Choco Mucho tried to mount a run, Creamline’s system held steady, their communication and court sense making the difference.

Fittingly, Lorie Bernardo capped the Cool Smashers’ emphatic second-set victory with an off-the-block hit against two defenders, sealing yet another eight-point romp – a near mirror of the opening frame. It was a statement of total control from a Creamline squad operating at peak efficiency, clearly intent on closing the match in clinical fashion and proving why it remains the league’s gold standard.

Smith struggled to find her rhythm, with several of her attacks sailing either wide or long, prompting Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin to field an all-Filipino lineup. But the adjustment hardly produced a favorable result as the Cool Smashers continued to hammer the Flying Titans’ defense with relentless power and precision.