“Creamline will always be Creamline”: Jia De Guzman highlights team’s identity after another PVL title 

The Creamline Cool Smashers reclaimed their place at the pinnacle of Philippine volleyball, securing a record-extending 11th championship in the Premier Volleyball League after surviving a dramatic five-set thriller against the Cignal HD Spikers in Game 2 of the All-Filipino Conference Finals on Thursday, April 23, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

In front of a packed and energized crowd, the Cool Smashers showcased their trademark composure and championship pedigree, weathering relentless resistance from Cignal in a match that stretched nearly two hours and embodied the high-level intensity of a title-deciding clash. The final scoreline—25-23, 22-25, 25-16, 16-25, 15-11—reflected just how evenly matched the two sides were throughout the contest.

Creamline drew first blood in a tightly contested opening set, relying on late-set execution and defensive stability to edge ahead. However, Cignal quickly answered back in the second frame, tightening its floor coverage and capitalizing on Creamline’s miscues to level the match. The Cool Smashers then reasserted control in the third set, producing their most dominant stretch of volleyball in the match, highlighted by efficient attacking combinations and disciplined net defense.

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Just when it appeared Creamline might close out the series in four sets, the HD Spikers mounted a spirited response in the fourth, overwhelming the defending champions with aggressive serving and sustained pressure to force a deciding fifth set. The momentum swing set the stage for a tense finale, with both squads fighting for every point in a high-stakes finish.

In the end, Creamline’s experience proved decisive. The Cool Smashers steadied themselves in the fifth set, minimizing errors and executing in clutch situations to pull away late and secure the championship, denying Cignal a chance to extend the series to a deciding Game 3.

Leading the charge was Bernadeth Pons, who delivered one of the most complete performances of the finals. Pons tallied 22 points while anchoring Creamline’s back row with 25 excellent digs and 15 receptions, producing a rare triple-double display that earned her Finals Most Valuable Player honors. Her two-way brilliance proved crucial in stabilizing the team during Cignal’s surges.

She was ably supported by Tots Carlos, who added 18 points through consistent attacking, while Jema Galanza and Pangs Panaga contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively. Their balanced offensive production allowed Creamline to spread the floor and avoid becoming overly reliant on any single scorer, a key factor in surviving the pressure-packed encounter.

COLDEST ELEVENTH 🍦🏆

Hear from Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses, Jema Galanza, Bernadeth Pons, Jia de Guzman and Tots Carlos on winning their 11th PVL championship. #PVL2026 #PVLFinals @spinph pic.twitter.com/k5naTKvbLo

— John Mark Garcia (@johnmarkdg_) April 23, 2026

The victory further cemented Creamline’s dominance in the PVL landscape and added another milestone to one of the league’s most successful dynasties. It also extended the remarkable legacy of veteran setter Jia De Guzman, who has now been instrumental in all but three of Creamline’s 11 championships. De Guzman missed the team’s 2024 Grand Slam run due to her two-season stint with Denso AiryBees in Japan’s V.League but has since returned to orchestrate the squad’s championship resurgence.

Prior to this title, De Guzman’s most recent finals appearance came in the 2023 Invitational Conference, where Creamline fell short against Japanese guest team Kurashiki Ablaze. Despite the contrasting results in recent seasons, the veteran playmaker emphasized continuity over comparison when reflecting on Creamline’s evolution.

“I can’t categorize talaga Creamline then and Creamline now, pero para sa’kin, with Creamline, we have this culture kasi na kahit anong ilagay sa harapan namin, we will do our best to come together talaga and work towards a bigger goal,” De Guzman said in a media interaction.

She further highlighted the stability of the team’s identity despite roster changes and player movement over the years.

“Kahit sinuman ang pumasok sa team namin, kahit sinuman ang umalis, the culture stays strong. Like for me na matagal din nawala, it’s not that hard to jell back into the team because of that culture that we have formed ever since Creamline started,” she added.

For De Guzman, the defining strength of Creamline has never been physical attributes, but rather collective discipline and mental toughness—qualities that once again proved decisive in the championship round.

“Creamline will always be Creamline, kahit anong mangyari. With Creamline kasi, we are not the tallest team. We are not the fastest team. We are not the most amazing team. Every team in this tournament may kanya-kanyang strength talaga, and we give respect to every team that we have to prepare for regardless of round kasi that’s how you play volleyball. You give respect to whoever you’re facing.

“We just really had to take it game by game kasi nakita naman natin na hindi ganun ka-smooth ‘yung eliminations namin, hindi ganun ka-smooth ‘yung semis namin. Yung finals, thank God naman na at the right time rin kami lahat kumapit. With us, with Creamline, kahit sinumang malagay sa harapan namin, pagtatrabahuan namin at hindi namin hahayaan lang na basta-bastang makuha lang kami ng panalo,” De Guzman concluded.

With another championship secured, Creamline once again underlined its status as the league’s benchmark franchise, proving that experience, cohesion, and culture remain just as vital as talent in sustaining a winning dynasty.

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