By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The winningest franchise in the Premier Volleyball League.
10 championship titles.
1 Grand Slam.
And with that, the Creamline Cool Smashers are now a certified ‘legend’ in the Philippine volleyball scene.
Seeking to bag its first-ever Grand Slam achievement in the PVL after winning the All-Filipino and the Reinforced Conferences, one last title was still missing in their quest for three straight golden trophies.
THE PVL INVITATIONAL CONFERENCE CROWN.
After a heartbreak last edition when they lost to the Kurashiki Ablaze, the Cool Smashers’ stars aligned this conference, scoring a come-from-behind win over the Cignal HD Spikers to be hailed as the queens of the PVL once again on September 12, 2024, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Despite trailing 1-2 against the HD Spikers, Creamline weaved its magic in the grand finals match of the Invitational Conference, 21-25, 25-17, 20-25, 26-24, 15-13.
Points away from stealing the spotlight from the Cool Smashers, the HD Spikers banked on the offensive artillery by their import MJ Perez who was unstoppable in the game.
However, for the third straight time, Creamline’s never-say-die attitude rose to the occasion and managed to level the game, hacking out a thrilling 26-24 victory in the fourth set.
The duo of Bernadeth Pons and Erica Staunton lifted the Cool Smashers during that crazy run as they answered every point Cignal scored.
Creamline’s pivotal moment came in the deciding fifth set when they removed their shackles off an 8-all deadlock.
Back-to-back offensive hits from Staunton followed by a costly error from Cignal’s Ces Molina widened their gap, but Perez retaliated for the HD Spikers to trim their deficit to just a point.
Stepping up for the Cool Smashers in the final three match sequences was the returning Jema Galanza who pushed their lead to three points and delivered the final blow off a clever attack.
“Thankful ako sa mga players namin at sa mga staff namin, kung bakit namin na-achieve to, kasi nagtulong-tulong talaga kami,” said Cool Smashers chief tactician Sherwin Meneses after achieving a Grand Slam.
Leading the way for the Cool Smashers in their three-peat clinching win was Staunton, who dominated with 29 points built from 26 successful attacks.
In her last game wearing the Creamline uniform this 2024, Staunton also gave her all, capping off her efficient outing with two service aces and a block.
Meanwhile, Pons also stepped up for the Cool Smashers after backstopping Staunton with 27 markers, 16 excellent receptions, and 13 excellent digs.
What a way to wrap things up, Creamline! Queens of PHL Volleyball indeed!
