Top-ranked Creamline left nothing to chance, asserting its dominance early and steamrolling Nxled with a commanding 25-18, 25-17, 25-17 victory in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference qualifying round on Thursday night at the PhilSports Arena.
Determined not to suffer the same shocking fate as No. 3 seed Cignal, which earlier fell to No. 10 Galeries Tower in the biggest upset in league history, the top-seeded Cool Smashers showcased their firepower, discipline, and depth.
They overwhelmed the Chameleons in all departments, racking up 47 attack points against Nxled’s 33, outblocking them 5-1 (with Bea de Leon leading the charge), and capitalizing on their opponents’ shaky reception with six service aces.
Their suffocating defense and relentless offense sealed a swift one-hour, 21-minute rout, sending Creamline into the quarterfinals with their title aspirations intact.
As the heavy favorites, the Cool Smashers lived up to expectations, with head coach Sherwin Meneses utilizing his deep bench—10 players contributed at least three points in the victory.
De Leon led the charge with 12 points built on six attacks, five blocks, and an ace, while setter Kyle Negrito orchestrated the offense masterfully, dishing out 15 excellent sets and adding four points of her own.
Tots Carlos chipped in nine points, while Jeanette Panaga and Michelle Gumabao tallied seven each.
Team captain Alyssa Valdez, Rose Vargas, Bernadeth Pons, and Jema Galanza all contributed four points apiece, with Lorie Bernardo adding three in Creamline’s well-balanced attack.
"I'm, of course, happy, and the team is happy as well because we’re in a good position heading into the quarterfinals. We’ll have more time to prepare," said Meneses in Filipino.
"As for the players, every time they step on the court, they’re always ready. Hopefully, in the next games, we can continue getting this kind of support from our bench players," he added.
With their eyes locked on a fourth consecutive championship, the Cool Smashers remain the team to beat, proving they won’t be an easy target for upsets.
They now await the winners of the play-ins for their quarterfinal matchup, set to begin on March 15.
Meanwhile, Nxled fell to the play-ins, where they will battle for the last two quarterfinal spots.
Chiara Permentilla paced the Chameleons with 14 points—all from attacks—while also tallying 18 excellent receptions and six excellent digs. Jaycel Delos Reyes and EJ Laure added six and five points, respectively, in the loss.
Determined not to suffer the same shocking fate as No. 3 seed Cignal, which earlier fell to No. 10 Galeries Tower in the biggest upset in league history, the top-seeded Cool Smashers showcased their firepower, discipline, and depth.
They overwhelmed the Chameleons in all departments, racking up 47 attack points against Nxled’s 33, outblocking them 5-1 (with Bea de Leon leading the charge), and capitalizing on their opponents’ shaky reception with six service aces.
Their suffocating defense and relentless offense sealed a swift one-hour, 21-minute rout, sending Creamline into the quarterfinals with their title aspirations intact.
As the heavy favorites, the Cool Smashers lived up to expectations, with head coach Sherwin Meneses utilizing his deep bench—10 players contributed at least three points in the victory.
De Leon led the charge with 12 points built on six attacks, five blocks, and an ace, while setter Kyle Negrito orchestrated the offense masterfully, dishing out 15 excellent sets and adding four points of her own.
Tots Carlos chipped in nine points, while Jeanette Panaga and Michelle Gumabao tallied seven each.
Team captain Alyssa Valdez, Rose Vargas, Bernadeth Pons, and Jema Galanza all contributed four points apiece, with Lorie Bernardo adding three in Creamline’s well-balanced attack.
"I'm, of course, happy, and the team is happy as well because we’re in a good position heading into the quarterfinals. We’ll have more time to prepare," said Meneses in Filipino.
"As for the players, every time they step on the court, they’re always ready. Hopefully, in the next games, we can continue getting this kind of support from our bench players," he added.
With their eyes locked on a fourth consecutive championship, the Cool Smashers remain the team to beat, proving they won’t be an easy target for upsets.
They now await the winners of the play-ins for their quarterfinal matchup, set to begin on March 15.
Meanwhile, Nxled fell to the play-ins, where they will battle for the last two quarterfinal spots.
Chiara Permentilla paced the Chameleons with 14 points—all from attacks—while also tallying 18 excellent receptions and six excellent digs. Jaycel Delos Reyes and EJ Laure added six and five points, respectively, in the loss.
