In a duel of adjustments, Creamline’s championship pedigree surfaced when it mattered most as it regrouped in the deciding set to carve out a tough 25-16, 22-25, 25-21, 15-25, 15-10 decision over Nxled and seize solo second place in the chase for the Qualifying Round of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Saturday, March 7.

Creamline dominated the opener but yielded the next frame before regaining control in the third. Yet the resilient Chameleons refused to fade, forcing a decider after taking the fourth set in emphatic fashion in what became the conference’s ninth match to go the distance before a packed weekend crowd at the FilOil Playtime Centre.

But when the pressure peaked, the Cool Smashers’ vast experience in high-stakes moments proved decisive, even in their first five-set match in the tournament.

Leaning on the composure forged by a championship tradition that includes 10 titles, Creamline steadied itself in the fifth set to pull away and extend its winning streak to five games after an opening game stumble, tightening its grip on one of the coveted Top Four berths heading into the post-elimination phase.

Idle Cignal still leads the race with a 5-2 card worth 16 points.

For Nxled, however, the loss underscored a growing concern.

After sweeping their first three matches, the Chameleons absorbed their fourth straight defeat, their inability to sustain adjustments in crucial stretches continuing to haunt a team that entered the conference with lofty expectations. The squad generated buzz during the offseason after assembling a star-studded core from the championship-winning Petro Gazz Angels.

Yet as opponents begin to expose gaps in their otherwise talent-laden roster, the Chameleons find themselves struggling to keep pace in the race for the coveted Top Four, a position they had firmly targeted at the start of the campaign.

Jema Galanza earned Best Player of the Game honors after unleashing a powerful 19-point performance, repeatedly answering the call in the clutch as setter Jia De Guzman consistently put her trust in the high-flying hitter throughout the grueling two-hour, 22-minute encounter.

“Focus lang kami at nagtiyaga,” said Galanza said after spearheading the charge with a barrage of vicious kills and thunderous spikes, particularly on quick center plays set up by De Guzman. She also finished with 10 excellent receptions.

Bracing for a nerve-wracking fifth set, the Cool Smashers instead seized control early. Trailing 1-2, they unleashed a four-point blitz ignited by two points from Tots Carlos, the latter a crucial block that swung momentum firmly in their favor.

Creamline never relinquished command from there as the Chameleons, despite their dominant fourth-set showing, struggled to keep pace. They briefly threatened to close the gap at 8-10 on a power tip from MJ Phillips, but Galanza quickly responded, scoring on her second attempt before hammering a putaway off a costly Nxled overpass.

Meanwhile, Brooke Van Sickle, who had been clicking all game with a dazzling 28-hit effort, faltered at a crucial moment, allowing Creamline to stretch its lead to a commanding 13-8.

Van Sickle managed to redeem herself with a hit in the next rally and the Chameleons followed it up with a block to slow Creamline’s surge – albeit briefly as Galanza soared for a clean attack from the middle before Bernadette Pons sealed the victory with a powerful blast, set up by another clutch dig from Kyle Atienza off Van Sickle’s attempt.

For Creamline, it was the perfect display of trust and execution – De Guzman repeatedly going to her trusted weapon, and Galanza delivering when it mattered most.

But it wasn’t all about the Galanza–De Guzman connection for the Cool Smashers.

Pons and Carlos provided ample support with 18 and 16 points, respectively, while Pangs Panaga controlled the middle and finished with 13 markers, highlighted by six imposing blocks.

Bea de Leon also delivered timely hits from the middle, chipping in nine points to bolster Creamline’s balanced attack.

For Nxled, Myla Pablo bounced back from a scoreless outing against Choco Mucho with a 22-point explosion, while MJ Phillips added 12 markers and Jonah Escamillan chipped in seven for the Nxled Chameleons.

But when the match tightened in the closing stretch, the Chameleons faltered under pressure, unraveling just as the Cool Smashers leaned on their vast championship experience to seal the victory.