THE Creamline Cool Smashers continue to set records, as they dominated the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) once more and secured the first-ever Grand Slam by winning the 2024 Invitational Conference.
The Creamline defeated the Cignal HD Spikers 21-25, 25-17, 20-25, 26-24, 15-13 in their one-game finals match on Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum, achieving an unprecedented feat.
History is made
The Cool Smashers achieved the Grand Slam by winning titles during the 2024 season. They were victorious in the All-Filipino, Reinforced, and Invitational conferences.
The Cool Smashers, along with PBA winners Crispa, San Miguel, Alaska, and San Mig Coffee, are the teams in Philippine sports to win all three conferences in a single league season.
Furthermore, the victory brought Creamline’s tenth PVL title, and they were able to avenge their finish in previous year’s competition. Last year, they lost the final series to Japan’s Kurashiki Ablaze.
They also completed a 5-0 sweep of the competition, including four wins in the preliminary round over defending champions Kurashiki, Thailand’s own Est Cola, and PVL teams Cignal and Farm Fresh Foxies.
Beat my team
Despite controversy, losing and acquiring new players along the way, Creamline was able to demonstrate that their squad will always be the best in every PVL conference.
Fan favorite Jema Galanza, who missed the entire Reinforced Conference, was able to play in this one. Galanza maintained that the secret to their success was to help one another in every way they could.
“Syempre, happy. Super happy talaga. Actually, ayoko na nga maglaro kasi ang ganda-ganda naman ng nilalaro nila,” said Galanza who’s now back with the team.
“Pero syempre ang haba na ng nilaro nila this season, dalawang conference na magkasunod so kailangan din talaga ng tulong. Hindi man sa points, kumbaga sa pagiging vocal ba sa mga teammates ko.”
Meanwhile, Kyle Negrito, who replaced the Philippines’ finest setter, Jia Morado-De Guzman, finally earned the recognition she deserved after winning the Finals Most Valuable Player award.
“Masaya po syempre na nakuha namin ‘yung championship ngayong Invitational na ‘di namin nakuha last Invitational Conference. And masaya rin na nakuha namin ‘yung Grand Slam,” said Negrito.
The unstoppable combo of Erica Stauton and two-time MVP Bernadeth Pons continued their momentum from the previous conference, scoring 29 and 27 points, respectively, and carrying the team’s scoring production.
Meanwhile, Cignal has yet to win their first PVL crown, falling once again in their second finals appearance. Import MJ Perez led the team with 42 points despite the fact that they lost.
