Cignal aims for Game 2 response after opening loss to Creamline in PVL AFC Finals 

Game 1 didn’t just hand Creamline the lead—it brought back something more familiar. For a team long associated with dominance, the Cool Smashers didn’t merely win—they looked like themselves again. And that, more than anything, was what caught Cignal off guard.

The straight-sets result, 25-22, 25-18, 25-16, told only part of the story. What unfolded at Smart Araneta Coliseum was less about one team faltering under the spotlight and more about another rediscovering its rhythm at the perfect time.

Cignal entered the finals battle-tested, carrying the experience of past deep runs. But instead of being overwhelmed by the stage, the Super Spikers found themselves dealing with a version of Creamline that left little room to breathe.

“Creamline really did their job. Maybe we were overwhelmed with how they played,” said Vanie Gandler, who still delivered 17 points and 10 receptions.

Even head coach Shaq delos Santos pointed to execution—not nerves—as the defining factor.

“[Naging struggle] ‘yung pag-handle namin ng pressure, mismo sa sarili namin. And siyempre, bukod sa ang ganda ng performance ng Creamline, ‘yun talaga ‘yung normal laro nila,” he said.

That “normal” proved difficult to counter.

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Cignal Super Spikers head coach Ceseal “Shaq” delos Santos believes his team has the heart and skillset to bounce back after their straight set loss to Creamline Cool Smashers in Game 1 of the PVL Finals.

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From crisp ball movement to disciplined defense, Creamline dictated the tempo early and never allowed Cignal to settle. Every run by the Super Spikers was met with a steadier, more composed response, slowly widening the gap between effort and outcome.

Still, the emotional weight of the finals wasn’t entirely absent.

“Mas naging excited kami na na-pressure dahil first time [ulit sa] championship, and grabe rin yung crowd. Sobrang sarap nga maglaro kanina but ‘yun nga, kinapos, kinulang, so accept lang natin,” delos Santos admitted.

“Sila pa nga ‘yung usually nagsasabi na parang kahit lamang sila or kami ‘yung lamang, parang same feeling lang. But kanina, iba talaga raw ‘yung feeling nila and siyempre, nire-respect ko ‘yun dahil sila ‘yung naglalaro sa loob ng court.”

For a team chasing its breakthrough, moments like these can either linger—or sharpen focus.

Cignal is choosing the latter.

With a must-win Game 2 ahead, the approach shifts from urgency to clarity. The goal isn’t to match Creamline’s energy, but to return to their own.

“Sabi ko nga sa kanila, ‘wag niyong masyadong i-pressure ‘yung sarili niyo kasi mas gusto kong nailalaro natin kung ano ‘yung naging investment natin before, kung paano tayo nag-prepare,” delos Santos said.

“Kaya nga tayo nakarating dito eh, so kailangan lumabas lang ‘yung totoong game natin and that’s it. Wala na tayong ibang pagsisisihan or pag-uusapan.”

Gandler echoed that mindset, focusing on adjustment rather than frustration. “We’re approaching the loss with our heads up. Like I said, the championship series isn’t over and we know the lapses and what we did wrong, so we were able to concede,” she said.

“That’s why we’re not dwelling on our loss today.”

Despite the defeat, there were signs of resistance. Erika Santos added 10 points and 10 excellent digs, while Gel Cayuna contributed six points and 14 excellent sets—numbers that hint at potential, but fell short against a team firing on all cylinders.

On the other side, Creamline’s balance made the difference. Jema Galanza led with 17 points, while Bernadeth Pons backed her up with 11 markers and 13 digs, reinforcing a system that thrived on both ends.

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