Creamline's Bernadeth Pons in action. PVL Media Bureau

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Creamline has won seven matches in as many games in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.

The Cool Smashers weathered a defiant Cignal to keep their pristine record intact, 25-19, 26-24, 23-25, 23-25, 15-9, on Saturday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

They lost a 2-0 lead to the HD Spikers, but went on to claim the triumph by pulling away in the fifth set after mounting a 4-0 run from the 7-5 count, clearing the pathway for Creamline.

An error from the Cignal side, a hit from Kyle Negrito, a block from Pangs Panaga, and a sharp spike courtesy of Jema Galanza made up that run.

The HD Spikers still had one last push, but it fell short as Bernadeth Pons found the edge of the court to close out the curtains of the Saturday double-header.

Double MVP Pons led by example, listing 27 points on 24 attacks, two service aces, one block, to go with 14 excellent digs, while another top plum recipient in Tots Carlos followed through with 15 markers. Bea de Leon joined the supporting cast, registering 12 points including three blocks.

Negrito was at the steering wheel of the Creamline firepower, listing 21 excellent sets.

Coach Sherwin Meneses said rich experiences in tough situations proved to be the difference in the three-hour encounter.

"Siguro ‘yung break napunta sa amin, siguro nakatulong din na sanay na ‘yung Creamline sa mga ganung laban, so malaking advantage sa amin. Happy ako na nakuha namin ‘yung panalo," he said.

"Siyempre, masaya kasi naka-recover kami sa third and fourth sets. ‘Yung winning [mentality] ng Cignal talagang nandoon, eh. Mahirap din talaga silang kalaban, since dati pa naman. Si coach Shaq [delos Santos], talagang ‘di basta-basta magpapatalo, kahit sinong player niya so talagang nagsipag sila," Meneses also said.

Cignal had a very good start, opening the game with a 9-4 lead in Set 1. But the Cool Smashers refused to back down and eventually tied at 9-all after a 5-0 run — orchestrated by mainstays De Leon and Galanza off attacks and blocks.

The Cool Smashers then pulled away after firing a 6-1 run from the 16-15 count, courtesy of Galanza, Pons, Negrito, coupled by errors from the HD Spikers.

Tense moments transpired in the succeeding frame when Cignal, which had no challenges at the 25-24 mark — with Creamline at set point — tried to put forth a block touch challenge mid-rally.

The referees reviewed the play "to remove doubt," but point was awarded to the Cool Smashers as it was raised by the Cignal coaching staff while rally was ongoing.

The HD Spikers finally got on board in Set 3. They overcame a gritty Creamline, which came within one, 24-23, after the pink-and-white jersey fell as far as six points, 23-17.

Vanie Gandler completed the set win after unleashing a sharp spike, forcing another frame, 25-23.

Set 4 was taken by Cignal after surviving a gritty Creamline side, which closed within one again, 24-23, despite the HD Spikers establishing a significant amount of lead mid-way into the set.

Ishie Lalongisip did the honors of marking Cignal's 25th point in the fourth canto off a powerful crosscourt hit.

Star spiker Gandler paced the defeated side after she totaled 21 points. Cignal dropped to 5-3 after the loss—still tied with PLDT in the standings.