Creamline middle blocker Bea de Leon in action. PVL Media Bureau

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Creamline is still the team to beat in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.

The perfect Cool Smashers thwarted Chery Tiggo in straight sets to keep their clean slate, 25-17, 25-17, 25-21, on Thursday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Creamline regained the top spot after securing 22 points on an 8-0 win-loss record, edging erstwhile league-leader Petro Gazz, which currently sits at 20 points on 7-1 card.

Middle blocker Bea de Leon took charge this time, listing 13 points on nine attacks, three service aces, and two blocks to lead the pink side, at the same time showing Creamline's depth as it saw double MVP Bernadeth Pons — who has been pivotal on the offense and defense of the Cool Smashers throughout the games — sit out the last two frames.

Former MVP Jema Galanza contributed nine points which came all from attacks, while another top plum recipient in Tots Carlos delivered eight, and Pangs Panaga also had eight.

"Siyempre malaking tulong sa 'min 'yung panalo ngayon, kasi nga nakuha namin 'yung game ngayon nang three sets. Kasi last time, medyo di naman — nag-relax sa third set, nakuha ng kalaban 'yung third set, ngayon naging lesson sa 'min 'yung last game namin," said coach Sherwin Meneses.

Creamline cracked what was once a 19-all deadlock mid-way through Set 3, pulling away for the win after a 6-2 blitz to deal the finishing touches.

Galanza started that run by firing an off-the-block hit which was coupled later on by a Chery Tiggo attack error.

Aby Marano caught the Creamline defense by surprise, powering a sharp spike, while Panaga answered back in the middle with a kill of her own.

Carlos found the hole of the defense, while Daps Dapol overcooked an attack to send Creamline on the verge of victory.

The Crossovers' Jules Samonte kept her team alive with a hit, but the clutch queen Alyssa Valdez lived up to her billing, sealing the win to conclude the one-hour, thirty-minute bout.

The Cool Smashers will face Farm Fresh next on Tuesday, February 11, while the Crossovers are down to their last game of the phase.

The bounce back-seeking Norman Miguel-mentored team will tackle Choco Mucho at the Passi Arena, Iloilo on February 22.