There is no doubt that the main setter for the Creamline Cool Smashers is Jia De Guzman, who is an eight-time Best Setter in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).
But on Tuesday, Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses turned things around and gave the rein to Kyle Negrito, who stepped into the spotlight and steered Creamline to a four-set victory against the gutsy Akari Chargers in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Negrito finished with 23 excellent sets along with six points as a starter in a must-win match for the Cool Smashers, who bowed to the Chargers in the preliminary round of the conference.
Meneses rolled the dice last Tuesday and the tactic paid off as Akari’s defense was thrown off balance with Negrito at the helm.
“Actually, we were already prepared for that because, of course, our opponents expected Jia to start,” said Meneses.
“It’s almost the same either way. Kyle’s advantage is that she has spent more time training with the current lineup recently, but of course, Jia is Jia. She’s always there to help us.”
Negrito, who started for the first time this conference, made the most out of the opportunity.
“I simply followed what the coach told me to do. Our game plan wasn’t exactly new to us anyway. I’ve already experienced those kinds of ‘do-or-die’ big games before. So there’s that—the game plan worked, and I feel confident,” Negrito said.
During De Guzman’s stint with the Denso Airybees in Japan in 2023 and 2024, it was Negrito who directed the offense for Creamline, leading the franchise to four consecutive titles, including a grand slam finish in 2024.
The Cool Smashers, however, struggled in the 2025 season but looks to have regained their winning ways this year.
Starter or not, Negrito is ready to help the team like a good soldier.