Creamline skipper Alyssa Valdez. PVL Media Bureau

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Creamline is on the verge of entering the semis anew.

This, as the Cool Smashers repelled Chery Tiggo in straight sets, 25-10, 27-25, 25-21, in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference Quarterfinals on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

The defending champions entered this phase of the tournament after a quick rout of Nxled in the qualifying round, while the Crossovers made it here by sweeping the play-ins, 2-0.

Unlike the opener, Set 2 was a closer affair, as the Crossovers rallied to a 23-20 lead — mere two points away from clinching the frame.

But the Cool Smashers proved to be more composed, unleashing a 7-2 rally capped by a rotation error from the Crossovers and a block point by Pangs Panaga for a 2-0 cushion.

READ: PVL: Creamline makes quick work of Nxled, claims outright QF berth

In Set 3, Creamline saw itself on a 2-point lead, 22-20, despite previously holding a 5-point separation at the 22-17 mark.

But they got the final push they needed from the 23-21 count, courtesy of Tots Carlos' off-the-block kill as Ara Galang suffered an unfortunate attack error to gift the three-set win to the pink-and-white jerseys — the 100th triumph of Sherwin Meneses as PVL head coach.

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"Masaya at na-achieve 'yung 100 [wins], pero sana mas marami pang panalo na dumating, especially this season, this conference, na madagdagan yung panalo pa, especially sa mga next games namin," said Meneses as he reflected on his newest milestone.

Creamline captain Alyssa Valdez poured in a near triple-double of 16 points including 13 excellent digs and nine excellent receptions, earning the Player of the Match honor.

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Valdez gave credit to Meneses for preparing her and the squad despite the busy schedule, including their opposite spiker Michele Gumabao's wedding in Baguio City.

READ: PH granted 3rd AVC Champions League slot; PLDT joins Creamline, PetroGazz

"Well, our coaching staff made sure that we didn't get rusty talaga. We might have had other events, most especially MG's wedding last week, but Coach Sherwin made sure talaga na when we got back, we had to work, and we worked double time during those times, lalo na nung malapit na yung game namin today," said the former PVL Most Valuable Player (MVP).

"Ginawa lang naman, I guess, there was a balance of life and hard work, and I think it worked for us this Game 1," she added.

Another MVP in Carlos also delivered 13 attack points including 10 excellent digs, while playmaker Kyle Negrito made the offense possible with 20 excellent sets.

Meanwhile, Shaya Adorador was the only Crossover in twin-digit scoring with 10.

Up 1-0, the Cool Smashers go for the kill on Saturday, March 22, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.