Rivals circle Cool Smashers ahead of All-Filipino Conference
Published Jan 29, 2026 02:53 pm
At A Glance
- A season after its Grand Slam campaign ended without a follow-up title, the Cool Smashers remain the team most circled on the calendar—a familiar force whose pedigree, depth, and the lessons learned from last year continue to make them a looming threat heading into the much-anticipated 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
Rival coaches may have seen Creamline come up short last year, but no one is buying the idea of a fallen giant.
A season after its Grand Slam campaign ended without a follow-up title, the Cool Smashers remain the team most circled on the calendar—a familiar force whose pedigree, depth, and the lessons learned from last year continue to make them a looming threat heading into the much-anticipated 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
The impending return of eight-time league Best Setter Jia de Guzman and former league MVP Bernadeth Pons—fresh from a historic beach volleyball gold medal run at the Southeast Asian Games—suddenly makes Creamline look whole again, a development rival coaches know could tilt the balance back in favor of the Cool Smashers.
“Sa’kin siguro ‘yung Creamline pa rin kasi maraming nagbalik, maraming naghahangad na matalo sila,” said Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin, pointing to the return of the two high-profile players.
“With Jia back here, it makes a difference for the team,” echoed Capital1 head coach Jorge Souza de Brito.
De Guzman is set to make her much-anticipated return to Creamline after nearly three years away—a stretch that saw her suit up for Japan’s S.V. League with the Denso Airybees, where she captured a V.Cup title, before turning her focus to Alas Pilipinas late last year.
Pons, meanwhile, sat out the PVL On Tour, Invitational, and Reinforced Conference while also fulfilling national team duties.
Aside from them, the Cool Smashers are set to welcome back Jema Galanza, who missed the entire import-laced conference due to a left foot injury, while former Chery Tiggo libero and Alas Pilipinas standout Jennifer Nierva also joins the fold.
With these returns, rival coaches see the 10-time PVL champions as a daunting challenge. Creamline’s reinforced roster and the comeback of its top stars set the stage for a team no contender can afford to underestimate—regardless of past conference results.
Cignal head coach Shaq Delos Santos said he wants his wards to focus on building as a team but admitted the Cool Smashers pose a formidable challenge they cannot take lightly in the all-local tilt.
“I think siguro ‘yung pinaka-excited kami makalaban ‘yung team muna namin. Kailangan ma-overcome muna namin lahat ng mga challenges, but to be honest—PLDT, Creamline, Akari, Choco—lahat talaga. Kung makikita niyo naman ‘yung lineups, ang laki ng mga changes,” said Delos Santos.
PLDT chief tactician Rald Ricafort, who guided the High Speed Hitters to back-to-back championships in the PVL On Tour and Invitational, echoed Delos Santos’ call to prioritize team cohesion—but added that, once that’s achieved, all eyes should be on Creamline.
“Agree ako kay coach Shaq saka kay coach Sherwin, sarili muna tapos Creamline,” quipped Ricafort.
When asked which team he was most excited to face, Nxled head coach Etorre Guidetti pointed to the table beside them, occupied by the Cool Smashers and the High Speed Hitters.
“I’m really excited to face everyone. With 10 teams in the league, the level of competition is just so high. But the two teams I’m most curious to go up against are right there at that table,” said the Italian coach.
In a league brimming with talent and rising teams, the battle lines are drawn—and all eyes will, inevitably, be on the traditional powerhouse as they look to reclaim their throne.