MANILA, Philippines — The complete Creamline Cool Smashers overcame the challenge posted by super rookie Bella Belen of Capital1 Solar Spikers to clinch their third-straight victory, 25-18, 26-24, 25-20, in the preliminary round of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Belen was the sole double-digit scorer for the third consecutive time for the Solar Spikers after mounting 26 points, along with nine excellent digs—but her efforts were not enough to conquer the 10-time league champions.
In the second frame, Capital1 held a 23–17 lead before Jema Galanza ignited a 6–0 run to pull Creamline even at 23-all.
Belen scored from the back row, but Galanza quickly responded with a crosscourt kill to knot the score at 24–24.
Bernadeth Pons then broke through the Solar Spikers' defense to reach set point, followed by a costly attack error from Leila Cruz that handed Creamline a 2–0 set advantage.
Having learned their lesson, the Cool Smashers refused to let Capital 1 keep it close in the third, cruising to a 25–20 victory to seal the match.
Three Creamline gunners scored in double figures, with Tots Carlos nailing 15 points, along with 10 excellent digs, while Pons and Galanza added 14 and 13 points, respectively.
Creamline improved to 3-1 while Capital1 fell to 2-3.