By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The embodiment of success, the true definition of winners.
All hail the queens of Philippine volleyball, the Creamline Cool Smashers.
Seeking for a back-to-back Premier Volleyball League (PVL) crown after winning the previous All-Filipino Conference, the Cool Smashers wrote another fairy tale ending in this year’s Reinforced Conference after sweeping the Akari Chargers, 25-15, 25-23, 25-17, to bag the championship title on September 4, 2024, at the Philsports Arena.
Despite the absence of their main gunners Jema Galanza, Tots Carlos, and Alyssa Valdez, Creamline showed its true character and never backed down from the challenge of facing the undefeated Akari team.
In the most important game of the tournament, Creamline unleashed their beast within and handed Akari a 3-0 loss, their worst defeat in the entire Reinforced Conference.
Picking up where they left off after a come-from-behind victory over the Cignal HD Spikers during the semifinals, the Cool Smashers already looked comfortable in their matchup against Akari, gaining the edge in terms of experience in setting foot in the grand final stage.
The Cool Smashers picked Akari apart from the get-go, flirting their playoff experience to a team that first tasted a championship qualification in the PVL.
Bernadeth Pons once again lifted the Cool Smashers after delivering a game-high performance of 19 points built from 14 successful attacks alongside 13 excellent receptions, 12 excellent digs, and five service aces.
With the stellar outing that Pons displayed, the former player of the country in beach volleyball was hailed as the Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Backstopping Pons during the championship-clinching game was import Erica Staunton who contributed 13 points derived from nine successful attacks.
Michele Gumabao, Creamline’s ever-reliable veteran outside spiker, delivered 10 markers while Bea De Leon added eight huge points.
“Matamis na matamis. Kahit na wala ‘yung four players namin pero nagtiwala talaga ako sa team namin kasi talagang nag-eensayo sila. At kahit nandyan ‘yung mga star players namin, hindi sila talaga nagpapabaya,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses after winning the series.
