Creamline keeps finding ways to win even when a match runs the full distance. The Cool Smashers survived Farm Fresh in five sets on Thursday to improve to 3-0 and move within one win of the 2026 PVL Invitational Finals.
A five-set grind at Araneta
Jaja Santiago-Minowa and Jema Galanza took over in the deciding frame as Creamline turned back Farm Fresh, 25-18, 24-26, 25-22, 23-25, 15-4, on Thursday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The result pushed the Cool Smashers to a 3-0 mark in the six-team field, while Farm Fresh slipped to 1-2 and stayed fifth. The Foxies dragged the champions the full distance, but Creamline’s depth closed it out in the final set.
One win from a gold-medal seat
Creamline can punch its ticket to the Invitational title match on Friday when it faces Thailand’s EST Cola at 6:30 p.m. A win locks up a spot in the gold-medal game and keeps the Cool Smashers’ unbeaten run alive.
Farm Fresh, meanwhile, will try to keep its slim finals hopes alive when it takes on PLDT at 1:30 p.m. on Friday.
Creamline’s unbeaten run so far
Creamline entered the meet as the team to beat after opening with a four-set win over Nxled, then sweeping Ho Chi Minh City to seize an early lead in the six-team Invitational that fired off at Araneta this week.
| Opponent | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Nxled | Aug 31 | Win, four sets |
| Ho Chi Minh City | Sept 1 | Win, 3-0 |
| Farm Fresh | Sept 3 | Win, five sets |
