Alyssa Valdez and Michele Gumabao proud as Creamline secures 18th straight PVL podium finish

The Creamline Cool Smashers ended the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour preseason tournament in the best possible fashion by defeating the Cignal HD Spikers, 25-17, 29-27, 25-17, to secure the bronze medal in front of 11,055 adoring fans at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, August 17.

Despite missing out on another PVL Finals appearance, Creamline ensured they maintained their streak of never finishing outside the top three in all 18 conferences of the league.

Michele Gumabao led the way with 21 points to earn Best Player of the Game honors. She received strong support from Jema Galanza and Alyssa Valdez, who contributed 13 and 12 points, respectively. Pangs Panaga, Sheena Toring, and Kyle Negrito also chipped in with five points each.

Galanza and libero Kyla Atienza made their presence felt defensively, with eight and 13 excellent digs, respectively. Galanza and Valdez also combined for 19 excellent receptions.

Gumabao, a long-time Creamline veteran, said that while missing the finals was disappointing, the bronze medal win highlighted the team’s fighting spirit and trademark consistency.

CAPTAIN. LEGEND. QUEEN. 👑 Congrats to Alyssa and the Creamline Cool Smashers on the PVL on Tour 2025 bronze 🥉 and to our Phenom for being named Best Outside Spiker! 🌟💗 We are so proud of you!

📸: @pvlph @OneSportsPHL #AlyssaValdez #VMGTalent pic.twitter.com/T10aK48l7h

— VMG ASIA (@vmgasia) August 17, 2025

“When I joined Creamline in 2018, we have always found ourselves on the podium — gold, silver, or bronze. That consistency says everything about this team. I’m proud of how we responded and stayed together,” said Gumabao.

“It starts in practice. Every day, you show up, put in the work, and commit to your role — no matter what that looks like. Whether you’re starting or coming off the bench, you stay confident, trust the process, and listen to the coaches and your teammates,” she added.

Creamline captain and Philippine volleyball icon Alyssa Valdez echoed Gumabao’s sentiments, stating that the team’s identity is rooted in its competitiveness, regardless of the outcome.

“This bronze medal doesn’t define Creamline. What we will take away is that everybody — from players to coaches and management — kept working together. Every game is worth celebrating, and we are just happy we are celebrating it as a family,” said Valdez.

“Maybe we fell short this time, but definitely we’re going to stay competitive and continue to push each other to improve in the coming conferences,” she concluded.

The Cool Smashers won’t have long to rest, as they shift their focus to the PVL Invitational Conference, set for August 21 to 31. Creamline will compete alongside the PLDT High Speed Hitters, Chery Tiggo Crossovers, Cignal HD Spikers, and Japanese guest teams Kurashiki Ablaze and Kobe Shinwa University.

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