The Creamline Cool Smashers needed every bit of their championship poise to shake off a stubborn Nxled side on Monday night, carving out a 25-20, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20 win at the Araneta Coliseum to open their 2026 PVL Invitational campaign.
A test of nerve and composure
Looking headed for a straight-set victory after taking the first two frames, Creamline let Nxled claw back the third set. The four-set thriller ran two hours and three minutes as the Cool Smashers regrouped and closed it out in the fourth.
In the deciding frame, back-to-back hits from Jema Galanza gave Creamline a 20-17 cushion, and Tots Carlos kept the pressure on with three straight points. Alyssa Valdez then delivered an off-speed winner on her second attempt, before Jonah Escamillan’s attack sailed wide to hand Creamline match point.
Negrito and Minowa lead the charge
Playmaker Kyle Negrito was pivotal, finishing with 31 excellent sets and six points, including a twisting set to Carlos late that effectively put the match away.
Japanese import Sachi Minowa led Creamline with 19 points on her return to the league, with Galanza (17), Carlos (14) and Valdez (13) all reaching double figures.
| Player | Points |
|---|---|
| Sachi Minowa | 19 |
| Jema Galanza | 17 |
| Tots Carlos | 14 |
| Alyssa Valdez | 13 |
| Kyle Negrito | 6 (31 excellent sets) |
Nxled refuses to go quietly
The Chameleons seized momentum after a costly third-set stumble from Creamline and briefly looked set to force a deciding fifth. Escamillan led Nxled with 20 points, EJ Cariño added 18 and MJ Phillips chipped in 11.
But the two-time Invitational champions summoned too much championship experience, turning the fourth set into a test of nerve and composure.
What’s next in the one-week tournament
With the Invitational packed into a single week, Creamline returns to action Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. against Ho Chi Minh City, while Nxled tries to bounce back against PLDT at 1:30 p.m.
- Creamline vs Ho Chi Minh City: Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
- Nxled vs PLDT: Tuesday, 1:30 p.m.
Core match details come from the official PVL report.
