Cool Smashers Overcome Foxies, Set Up Finals Showdown with Super Spikers

Creamline is back in the Premier Volleyball League Finals after securing a hard-fought four-set victory over Farm Fresh, 25-23, 14-25, 25-23, 25-19, on Thursday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan during the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.

The Cool Smashers faced multiple momentum shifts from the Foxies in what was essentially a do-or-die match for the final Finals spot. But with their veteran leadership rising to the occasion, Creamline held steady and clinched their 15th Finals appearance. This marks their return to the championship stage after missing out on the last three conferences, dating back to their 2024–25 All-Filipino campaign.

Head coach Sherwin Meneses praised his players for their determination: "I think the number one factor was that the players really stepped up. They wanted to win today because Farm Fresh is also a tough, veteran team, but I think the Creamline players just wanted it more—they were determined to get back to the Finals and face Cignal."

Creamline will now face Cignal in a best-of-three Finals series, with Game 1 set for Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Game 2 will be next Thursday, and if necessary, Game 3 will take place on April 28 at the same venue.

The two teams are already familiar with each other this conference. Cignal swept Creamline in their recent semifinal and qualification matchups, but the Cool Smashers defeated Cignal in their preliminary-round encounter, setting up an exciting Finals rematch.

In the semifinal decider, Creamline almost squandered a comfortable lead in the third set after being up 19-14, but Farm Fresh, led by Mylene Paat, fought back to tie the set at 19. However, the Cool Smashers regained control when it mattered most, with Bernadeth Pons, Michele Gumabao, Jema Galanza, and Tots Carlos stepping up with crucial points to give Creamline a 2-1 advantage.

Creamline carried that momentum into the fourth set, pulling away from a 19-17 lead. Key contributions from Pangs Panaga, Galanza, and a series of Farm Fresh errors helped Creamline secure a 25-19 win and seal the match in two hours and nine minutes.

"First of all, I’m so happy. It wasn’t an easy journey for us to get back to the Finals this conference. But I’m really happy, though, the fight’s not over. We still have to prepare and work hard to reach our goal this conference," said Pons, who finished with 12 points, 17 receptions, and 17 digs.

Tots Carlos led Creamline’s balanced offense with 15 points and 14 digs, while Galanza and Panaga each contributed 13 points. Jia De Guzman set up the offense with 26 excellent sets and added five points, while Jen Nierva anchored the defense with 23 excellent receptions on 29 attempts.

Farm Fresh will now shift their focus to the bronze medal series against PLDT.

Trisha Tubu led the Foxies with 21 points, while Ces Molina delivered an all-around performance with 19 points, including 16 attacks and three aces, along with 20 receptions and 15 digs. Royse Tubino added 12 points and 14 digs, and Mylene Paat provided 11 points off the bench.