Creamline overcomes depleted lineup to beat Nxled in On Tour opener

ILAGAN, Isabela — Creamline showcased its trademark depth despite missing several key players, defeating a Brooke Van Sickle-less Nxled in four sets, 25-18, 25-23, 16-25, 25-19, to begin its 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour Showdown campaign on a winning note Wednesday at Capital Arena.

With Tots Carlos, Alyssa Valdez, Bea De Leon, and Jeanette Panaga sidelined, and ace setter Jia De Guzman away on national team duty with Alas Pilipinas, the Cool Smashers leaned on their supporting cast to secure the opening-day victory.

Michele Gumabao starred off the bench with a match-high 18 points built on 16 attacks, one block, and one ace, while Lorie Bernardo added 13 points, including 12 attacks and a block.

New recruit Ishie Lalongisip impressed in her Creamline debut with nine points after facing the Cool Smashers in the All-Filipino Conference Finals just months ago. Jema Galanza and Rose Vargas chipped in eight points apiece.

Kyle Negrito steered the offense with 16 excellent sets, while Denden Lazaro and Ella De Jesus anchored the backline with 16 excellent receptions and nine excellent digs, respectively.

"Syempre, masaya ako kasi nag-perform nang maganda 'yung team namin. Kahit 'yung mga seniors namin 'di nakalaro, magandang experience ito para sa iba naming players. Magandang laro, kaya masaya kami," said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.

After Nxled forced a fourth set by taking the third frame, Creamline quickly regained control.

Clinging to a 17-15 lead, the Cool Smashers strung together a pivotal 3-0 run sparked by Gumabao and Vargas to open a five-point cushion. Nxled made several attempts to rally, but Creamline answered every challenge to stay comfortably in front.

Leading 22-18, Gumabao and Sheena Toring delivered consecutive points to bring Creamline to match point. Although EJ Cariño delayed the finish with a point for the Chameleons, Bernardo closed out the contest with an off-the-block attack as the Cool Smashers completed the one-hour, 46-minute victory.

Creamline returns to action on Aug. 8 in Santiago, Isabela, where it will face a revamped Capital1 squad.

MJ Phillips paced Nxled, while Cariño registered a double-double with 11 points and 14 excellent receptions. Myla Pablo and Jonah Sabete-Escamillan also finished with 11 points each.

Veteran setter Gel Cayuna, making her first appearance for the Chameleons, produced 22 excellent sets and three points off the bench.

Nxled will look to bounce back when it takes on the Solar Spikers on July 25 in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.