Tight race brewing in All-Filipino Conference as Creamline, Cignal, and Nxled surge while PLDT looks to stay unbeaten 

The early landscape of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference is beginning to take shape, and it’s turning into a tightly packed race where consistency is quickly becoming the difference-maker.

At the center of the latest shake-up was the clinical performance of the Creamline Cool Smashers, who neutralized nearly every scoring option of the Capital1 Solar Spikers except standout rookie Bella Belen, completing a 25-18, 26-24, 25-20 sweep Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

Creamline’s disciplined system play and defensive structure forced Capital1 into long rallies while limiting second-chance opportunities at the net. The Cool Smashers improved to 3–1, reinforcing their reputation as one of the conference’s most structured teams built around ball control and veteran composure.

Despite the loss, Capital1 continues to show flashes of promise behind Belen’s scoring surge, highlighting the team’s transition toward a youth-driven core that is still learning how to close out tight sets against established contenders.

While Creamline tightened its grip near the top, the Cignal HD Spikers quietly built momentum of their own.

Cignal extended its winning record to three games after dismantling the Nxled Chameleons, 25-21, 25-17, 25-21, at the PhilSports Arena, showcasing improved offensive balance and sharper blocking rotations.

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2026 PVL ALL-FILIPINO CONFERENCE

Team Standings after the FEB. 21 Matches #PVL2026 #pvlallfilipinoconference#TheHeartOfVolleyball #volleyball pic.twitter.com/Q43vqfu1D2

— VOLLEYBALLnatics (@VBALLnatics) February 23, 2026

The surge placed the HD Spikers in a crowded upper tier alongside the Choco Mucho Flying Titans and Creamline, underscoring how quickly momentum swings can reshape the standings in the short elimination format.

Cignal’s recent run has been anchored on faster tempo offense and improved floor defense—two areas the team struggled with earlier in the conference.

Even with multiple teams gaining traction, the PLDT High Speed Hitters remain the standard so far.

Sitting alone at the top with a 3–0 record, PLDT has combined aggressive net defense with efficient transition scoring, allowing the High Speed Hitters to control matches without needing extended five-set battles. Their depth and physicality have made them one of the most balanced squads in the tournament’s opening stretch.

What’s becoming increasingly clear is that the All-Filipino Conference is trending toward a parity-heavy race. Traditional contenders like Creamline and Cignal are beginning to settle into form, while emerging teams such as Nxled and Capital1 are proving capable of disrupting matchups on any given day. 

With the elimination round still unfolding, every match is carrying added weight—not just for positioning, but for momentum heading into the crucial playoff phase.

If the early results are any indication, the battle for the top seed—and the psychological edge that comes with it—may go down to the final weeks of the eliminations. 

Nxled will hunt for their fourth win of the season on Tuesday, 4PM against Akari. Cignal will look to blemish PLDT’s unbeaten record at the 630PM headliner match. 

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