ILAGAN, Isabela — Creamline proved its depth remains one of its greatest strengths.
Despite missing several key players, the Cool Smashers opened their 2026 Premier Volleyball League On Tour Showdown campaign with a 25-18, 25-23, 16-25, 25-19 victory over an Nxled squad also missing one of its biggest stars, Brooke Van Sickle, on Wednesday at Capital Arena here.
Without Tots Carlos, Alyssa Valdez, Bea De Leon, and Jeanette Panaga in uniform, while veteran setter Jia De Guzman continued her national team duties with Alas Pilipinas, Creamline turned to its supporting cast to secure the win.
Michele Gumabao sparked the Cool Smashers after coming off the bench, finishing with a match-high 18 points on 16 attacks, one block, and one ace. Lorie Bernardo backed her up with 13 points, highlighted by 12 attacks and a block.
New acquisition Ishie Lalongisip, who faced Creamline in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals earlier this year, contributed nine points in her first match wearing the Cool Smashers jersey. Jema Galanza and Rose Vargas added eight markers apiece.
Kyle Negrito steered Creamline’s offense with 16 excellent sets, while libero Denden Revilla anchored the backcourt with 16 excellent receptions. Ella De Jesus also made her presence felt on defense with nine excellent digs.
“Siyempre, masaya ako kasi nag-perform nang maganda ‘yung team namin. Kahit ‘yung mga seniors namin ‘di nakalaro, ‘yun naman ‘yung maka-experience sila ng ganitong laro. Magandang laro. So masaya,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
Creamline appeared headed for a straight-set victory before Nxled responded in the third frame to extend the match.
The Cool Smashers quickly regrouped in the fourth set. Nursing a 17-15 advantage, they created separation with a pivotal 3-0 burst fueled by Gumabao and Vargas to move ahead 20-15. Nxled attempted to trim the deficit, but Creamline answered every challenge.
Leading 22-18 late in the set, Gumabao and Sheena Toring combined for consecutive points to bring the Cool Smashers to match point. Although EJ Cariño delayed the inevitable with a point for the Chameleons, Bernardo finished the match with an off-the-block attack, completing the victory in one hour and 46 minutes.
Creamline returns to Isabela on August 8 for a meeting with a retooled Capital1 squad in Santiago.
For Nxled, MJ Phillips paced the offense, while Cariño registered a double-double with 11 points and 14 excellent receptions. Myla Pablo and Jonah Sabete-Escamillan also scored 11 points each.
Veteran setter Gel Cayuna made her first appearance for the Chameleons, tallying 22 excellent sets and three points off the bench.
Nxled will look to rebound on July 25 when it takes on the Solar Spikers in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.