Creamline back as PVL queens after All-Filipino sweep of Cignal

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The Creamline Cool Smashers reclaim their place atop the PVL after failing to reach the finals of the last three tournaments and seeing their All-Filipino five-peat bid dashed last season

MANILA, Philippines – Just when it had looked like the Creamline dynasty was over, the Cool Smashers proved otherwise.

Creamline captured a record-extending 11th PVL championship following a nail-biting 25-23, 22-25, 25-16, 16-25, 15-11 win over the Cignal Super Spikers that completed a sweep of the best-of-three All-Filipino Conference finals at jampacked Araneta Coliseum on Thursday, April 23.

Finals MVP Bernadeth Pons led the way with a triple-double of 22 points, 25 excellent digs, and 15 excellent reception as the Cool Smashers reclaimed their place atop the PVL after failing to reach the finals of the last three tournaments and seeing their All-Filipino five-peat bid dashed last season.

Tots Carlos and Pangs Panaga also shone with 18 and 10 points, respectively, delivering clutch hits in the nerve-racking fifth set that saw Creamline end the match on a 9-3 run after it trailed 6-8.

A Panaga block gave the Cool Smashers a 13-10 lead before Carlos sealed the deal with back-to-back points, powering an attack to put Creamline at championship point and blocking eventual conference MVP winner Vanie Gandler.

Jema Galanza made her presence felt in the victory with 12 points, including a pair of attacks in that title-clinching run that propelled the Cool Smashers to their seventh All-Filipino crown.

Gandler starred for Cignal with a game-high 26 points, while Erika Santos chimed in 21 points in the loss. – Rappler.com