CREAMLINE showcased its versatility and dominance to dismantle Chery Tiggo in straight sets, securing a commanding 25-10, 27-25, 25-21 victory before an electrified Tuesday crowd at the Philsports Arena in Pasig, moving the Cool Smashers closer to the semifinal round of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.

From an explosive opening set to a dramatic comeback in the second and a grind-out finish in the third, Creamline once again proved its resilience and championship pedigree.

Alyssa Valdez spearheaded the attack with a vintage performance, finishing with 16 points, 13 excellent digs, and nine receptions on her way to being named the Best Player of the Game. Reflecting on the team’s ability to battle back, particularly in the crucial second set, she emphasized the squad’s chemistry and trust in one another.

“Through our experiences in tight matches, we’ve been tested many times, and we’ve learned how to respond,” said Valdez. “But I’d say our chemistry, both on and off the court, makes all the difference. Our trust in each other, especially in crunch time, is something special. Thank you, Lord, we got that second set.”

The Cool Smashers stunned not just the Crossovers but even their loyal fans when they clawed back from an 18-22 deficit in the second frame, forcing an extended set and ultimately pulling off the win.

With Game 1 in the books, Creamline now shifts focus to Game 2, set for Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, where the Cool Smashers aim to complete a best-of-three quarterfinals sweep. However, Valdez remains cautious and focused on the bigger goal.

“Getting Game 1 is important because it sets the tone for the series. But the job isn’t done yet. We have to work even harder to prepare for Game 2,” she said.

For Sherwin Meneses, the win marked a personal milestone – his 100th victory as head coach. However, the veteran mentor downplayed the achievement, crediting his players and the team’s support system instead.

“I’m grateful for my players, who continue to follow our system and communicate for the betterment of the team. Thanks also to the management – winning has always been Creamline’s goal,” said Meneses in Filipino.

While Valdez shone, it was an all-around effort from the Cool Smashers. Tots Carlos, who was relatively quiet in the first two sets, delivered in the clutch, finishing with 13 points, including back-to-back off-the-block hits to help seal the victory.

Middles Bea de Leon and Pangs Panaga provided solid support, contributing 11 and 10 points, respectively, with each recording five kill blocks. Meanwhile, Kyle Negrito played a crucial role in keeping the team cohesive, delivering 20 excellent sets – twice the number of counterpart Alina Bicar.

Meanwhile, Shaya Adorador led Chery Tiggo with 10 points, but the Crossovers sorely missed the usual firepower from Ara Galang, who managed only five points. Cess Robles and Pauline Gaston chipped in seven markers each, while Seth Rodriguez and Jules Samonte added four and three, respectively.