Creamline showcased its resilience and championship pedigree, overcoming a daunting nine-point deficit in the third set to secure a dramatic 25-16, 25-19, 31-29 victory over Choco Mucho late Saturday night in Pasay City.

The thrilling match, played before a roaring crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena, propelled the Cool Smashers into the quarterfinals of the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference with a 5-2 record.

The Cool Smashers, known for their poise and composure, displayed their experience and tenacity as they battled back from a seemingly insurmountable deficit. Their remarkable comeback in the third set demonstrated why they are crowd favorites and eight-time champions.

Creamline has one final crossover round match remaining against the winless ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles on Thursday.

Choco Mucho, on the other hand, fell to 2-5, diminishing its quarterfinal bid as it remained in ninth place, behind the eighth-ranked Farm Fresh (3-4).

The Flying Titans, despite losing the first two sets, appeared poised to extend the match when they built a 23-14 lead in the third. However, the Cool Smashers, responding to coach Sherwin Meneses’ challenge, rallied with relentless pressure and precision.

Meneses urged his players: “Mga beterano na kayo, alam nyo na ang gagawin dyan.”

The Cool Smashers delivered.

Creamline's strategic attacks and unwavering focus led them to a series of crucial points, closing the gap to 19-23. Maika Ortiz’s quick hit gave Choco Mucho a set point, but Creamline fought back with five consecutive points to force a dramatic extension.

Choco Mucho's Royse Tubino once again put her team at set point with a through-the-block hit. Despite this, Creamline’s Erica Staunton executed a key combination play, and Bea de Leon’s block on Tubino shifted the momentum, giving the Cool Smashers their first lead in the set.

The Flying Titans fought valiantly, saving four match points. However, Creamline's Pangs Panaga ultimately blocked Tubino, setting up the sixth match point and Staunton’s decisive kill after a shaky Choco Mucho reception sealed the one-hour and 40-minute win for Creamline.

Bernadeth Pons continued to step up as the standout player for the Cool Smashers in the absence of Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza and Alyssa Valdez. She delivered an impressive performance, scoring 12 points with a diverse range of shots.

Despite facing the challenges of missing key players due to injuries and national team commitments, Creamline still advanced, catching up with PLDT and Chery Tiggo at third behind behind Akari (7-0) and Cignal (6-1).

"Siempre masaya kami at naka-recover sa third set," said Meneses. "Siguro magpapataas ito ng morale ng team. Na-challenge yung team dun sa third set, medyo malayo ang hinabol."

"Honestly, I just leaned on my teammates," said Staunton. "Just knowing that we're gonna do it, we're gonna do it together. I just really appreciate all the confidence that they had in me."

Creamline controlled the match from the start, winning the first two sets and establishing a comfortable lead. Despite a late push from Choco Mucho in the second, Pons and the Cool Smashers managed to thwart the Flying Titans' comeback efforts.
 

Pons’ timely attack off a combination play helped secure a 2-0 Creamline lead, while the team capitalized on Choco Mucho’s errors to build its advantage.

The third set saw Creamline initially leading before Choco Mucho, led by Dindin Manabat and Zoi Faki, took the lead. Mars Alba's clever 1-2 play and Tubino’s targeted attacks kept the Flying Titans in contention, but ultimately, Creamline’s resilience and composure ensured their victory.

The match attracted 9,429 fans, including sports personalities, celebrities and Olympian rower Joanie Delgaco, who cheered on the teams throughout the intense encounter.

Staunton finished with 19 point and she and Pons drew solid backup from Michele Gumabao and de Leon, who scored 11 and 10 points, respectively, with Panaga adding eight markers. De Leon and Panaga highlighted their performance with five blocks apiece.

Dindin Manabat scored 10 points, while Faki and Ortiz wound up with seven points apiece and Tubino, Maddie Madayag and Mars Alba combined for 15 points for the Flying Titans, who must stop the PLDT High Speed Hitters in three on Thursday and hope the Farm Fresh Foxies yield to the unbeaten Akari Chargers on Tuesday to force a tie at eighth spot (3-5).