PVL: Creamline outclasses Cignal in finals opener

The winningest keeps on winning.

Creamline displayed pure class to eke out a 25-22, 25-18, 25-16 win against Cignal in Game 1 of the 2026 PVL Open Conference finals on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Cool Smashers, who hold the most titles in the league with 10 championships, showed poise all throughout the game against the Super Spikers to draw first blood and inch closer to yet another crown.

But Creamline is under no illusion that Game 2 will be easier given their history against Cignal, which has beaten them twice in their last three meetings this conference alone. 

"Super happy kasi three sets naming nakuha 'yung Cignal. Malaking benefit kasi one day preparation lang for Thursday's game so makakapag-rest kami nang maganda," Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses said. 

"Big advantage sa'min. Tatrabahuhin namin bukas sa ensayo 'yung mga lapses namin and back to square one na naman kasi ang Cignal hindi naman bibitaw 'yan kaya nga nasa finals sila."

(Super happy because we were able to beat Cignal in three sets. It’s a big benefit because we only had one day preparation for Thursday’s game so we can rest well… it’s a big advantage for us. We’ll work on our lapses tomorrow in practice and we’ll go back to square one because we know Cignal is not going to give up, that’s why they’re in the finals.) 

But if Game 1 is any indication, Creamline could be primed for its 11th crown. 

The Cool Smashers played a near-perfect game after only committing 12 errors against the 22 of the Super Spikers, who defeated them in the qualifying round and semifinals. 

Jema Galanza and Bernadeth Pons starred in the sweep with Galanza dropping a team-high 17 points and 13 receptions while Pons posted 11 markers and 15 digs as they took out Cignal out of its game. 

Galanza delivered back-to-back kills that gave Creamline a 24-18 lead in Set 2 before Pons soared from the back row and caught the endline to give her side a commanding 2-0 lead. 

Creamline then launched a blazing 5-0 start in Set 3, setting the tone for the breakaway with Galanza hitting two consecutive kills to make it an 18-10 cushion. Galanza also delivered the game-winning hit, striking the ball directly toward Erin Pangilinan's hands before it sailed out. 

Only Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos hit double-digit mark after they poured in 17 points and 10 points each. 

—JMB, GMA News