Creamline Back in Full Force, Smashes Nxled to Stay on Track for Quarterfinals

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by Raymund Tamayo

The Creamline Cool Smashers celebrate during their game against Nxled.
The Creamline Cool Smashers celebrate during their game against Nxled. Photo: PVL Images.

When the defending champs stumble early, you know the storm’s coming, and the Creamline Cool Smashers made sure it hit hard.

After a shaky first set, the Cool Smashers roared back with a dominant display, crushing the Nxled Chameleons in four sets, 20-25, 25-13, 25-16, 25-18, on Thursday night at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan in the PVL Reinforced Conference.

It was vintage Creamline, composed, calculated, and downright ruthless once they found their rhythm. The team tightened its floor defense, steadied the serve-receive, and let its signature offensive flow take over. By the second set, the defending champions looked every bit the powerhouse that fans have come to expect.

“We just had to settle down and execute,” said Michele Gumabao, who powered Creamline with 13 points, including two blocks and two aces, earning Best Player of the Game honors. “The composure was there, and we stuck to the game plan.”

Creamline star Michele Gumabao.
Creamline star Michele Gumabao. Photo: PVL Images.

The win lifted Creamline to 4-2, strengthening their hold on the No. 4 spot and bringing them closer to a quarterfinal berth. But head coach Sherwin Meneses isn’t letting the team get too comfortable.

“’Yung mindset namin, kailangan makabawi agad sa mga errors and miscommunication,” Meneses said. “We’re happy we recovered and showed better focus in the next sets.”

Creamline will next face Choco Mucho on November 13 at the Araneta Coliseum and Cignal on November 18 at the Ynares Center; two crucial games that could shape their playoff run.

In the fourth set, Nxled tried to mount a late charge, trimming a 10-point Creamline lead to five behind Paola Martinez Vela. But a costly service error by Jaja Maraguinot, followed by a Coco Schwan through-the-block hit, sealed the deal for the Cool Smashers.

Nxled import Paula Martinez Vela spikes the ball against two Creamline defenders.
Nxled import Paula Martinez Vela spikes the ball against two Creamline defenders. Photo: PVL Images.

Schwan finished with 14 points, plus 14 digs and 15 receptions, a standout two-way performance. Pangs Panaga and Tots Carlos chipped in 12 and 11 markers, respectively, as Creamline outplayed Nxled in blocks (10-6), aces (10-5), and efficiency.

Martinez led the Chameleons with 18 points, while Chiara Permentilla added 14, but the team couldn’t sustain its early spark. The loss, which was Nxled’s sixth straight, officially eliminated them from quarterfinal contention.

For Creamline, though, this wasn’t just another win. It was a loud reminder to the rest of the league: when the Cool Smashers get rolling, they’re still the gold standard in Philippine volleyball.