Despite significant roster overhauls across the league and Creamline coming up empty a year ago, the multi-titled Cool Smashers remain firmly on the radar of most coaches heading into the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference which fires off Saturday in San Juan.
A season removed from a Grand Slam campaign that ended without a follow-up title, Creamline continues to top the list of concerns among rival mentors – and for good reason.
Pedigree and depth have long defined the Cool Smashers, and the sting of last year’s struggles appears to have only fueled their hunger to reclaim their place atop the Sports Vision-organized league. With the return of eight-time Best Setter Jia de Guzman and former league MVP Bernadeth Pons, Creamline suddenly looks whole again – a development that rival coaches believe could tilt the balance back in their favor.
“Sa’kin siguro ‘yung Creamline pa rin kasi maraming nagbalik, maraming naghahangad na matalo sila,” said Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin, pointing to the return of the team’s key pieces.
“With Jia back here, it makes a difference for the team,” echoed Capital1 coach Jorge Souza de Brito.
De Guzman is set to make her much-anticipated return to Creamline after nearly three years away, a stretch that saw her play for Japan’s Denso Airybees in the S.V. League – where she won a V.Cup title – before rejoining the national team with Alas Pilipinas late last year.
Pons, meanwhile, missed the PVL On Tour, Invitational and Reinforced Conference while fulfilling national team duties. Alongside Sisi Rondina and two others, she helped deliver the country’s first-ever SEA Games beach volley gold medal last year.
Adding to Creamline’s resurgence is the return of Jema Galanza, who sat out the entire import-laced conference due to a left foot injury. Former Chery Tiggo libero and Alas Pilipinas standout Jennifer Nierva also joins the fold, bolstering the Cool Smashers’ already formidable defensive system.
With their stars back and depth reinforced, rival coaches see the 10-time PVL champions as a daunting challenge – one no contender can afford to underestimate in the all-local tilt, regardless of recent results.
Cignal head coach Shaq Delos Santos said his priority is internal growth but acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge Creamline presents.
“I think siguro ‘yung pinaka-excited kami makalaban ‘yung team muna namin. Kailangan ma-overcome muna namin lahat ng mga challenges, but to be honest PLDT, Creamline, Akari, Choco – lahat talaga,” said Delos Santos. “Kung makikita niyo naman ‘yung lineups, ang laki ng mga changes.”
PLDT coach Rald Ricafort, coming off back-to-back titles in the PVL On Tour and Invitational, shared the same mindset – while conceding that Creamline remains the benchmark.
“Agree ako kay coach Shaq saka kay coach Sherwin – sarili muna, tapos Creamline,” Ricafort said.
Asked which teams intrigued him most, Nxled coach Ettore Guidetti gestured toward the table occupied by the Cool Smashers and the High Speed Hitters.
“I’m really excited to face everyone. With 10 teams in the league, the level of competition is just so high,” said the Italian tactician. “But the two teams I’m most curious to go up against are right there at that table.”
In a league overflowing with talent and parity, the battle lines are drawn. Yet as the All-Filipino Conference begins, it is the traditional powerhouse – rearmed, reloaded, and refocused – that once again commands the spotlight.
