2023 Creamline Cool Smashers season

The 2023 Creamline Cool Smashers season was the sixth season of the Creamline Cool Smashers in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).

Season summary

No changes were made to the base roster heading into the First All-Filipino Conference, but team captain Alyssa Valdez was unavailable due to injury. ^[1] Jia de Guzman was then named captain for the conference. ^[2] The Valdez-less Cool Smashers went on to top the conference with a 7–1 record and 22 points. Their only loss came from the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers in a five-set match on February 18. ^[3] On March 7, the Cool Smashers clinched a spot in the final round with a win against the PLDT High Speed Hitters. ^[4] F2 Logistics would then become their semifinals opponent, but Creamline were able to get revenge by sweeping the series. ^[5] In the championship, they would enter a rivalry series against the Petro Gazz Angels. ^[6] The Angels were able to get ahead in the first match of their fourth championship meeting, but Creamline evened the series after a five-set victory in the second match. ^[7] They were then able to win the third-match for their sixth PVL title and fourth All-Filipino title. ^[8] It was also their first title without Valdez. ^[9]

Ahead of the Invitational Conference, Creamline added Bernadeth Pons, a member of their beach volleyball team, to the indoor squad on June 2. ^[10] Valdez then returned for the start of the conference against the Chery Tiggo Crossovers. ^[11] The team then swept Pool A with a 4–0 record and 12 points to advance to the semifinals. ^[12] Their win streak continued through the first three matches of the semis before they lost to Japan-based Kurashiki Ablaze in the final match. ^[13] They would end up having to face Kurashiki again for the championship. The match went the full five-set length, but Creamline wasn't able to clinch the title on the final set. ^[14]

On August 31, de Guzman departed Creamline to join the Denso Airybees of Japan's V.League. ^[15] On October 13, the team signed collegiate recruits Theo Bea Bonafe and Mafe Galanza ahead of their Second All-Filipino Conference campaign. ^[16] In the Second All-Filipino Conference, Creamline once again showed their dominant form, winning all eleven games and earning 32 points with their only dropped point coming from their five-set victory over Petro Gazz on November 9. After sweeping the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in the semifinals, the Cool Smashers entered their tenth championship match and sixth consecutive All-Filipino championship, ^[17] but for the first time, they were matched against sister team Choco Mucho Flying Titans. ^[18] Creamline were able to sweep their sister team in two matches to win their seventh PVL title and fifth All-Filipino title. ^[19]

Roster

Creamline Cool Smashers
Number	Player	Position	Height	Birth date	School
1	Kyle Angela Negrito	Setter	1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)	(1996-12-15) December 15, 1996 (age 28)	Far Eastern University
2	Alyssa Valdez (C)	Outside Hitter	1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)	(1993-06-29) June 29, 1993 (age 32)	Ateneo de Manila University
5	Risa Sato	Middle Blocker	1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)	(1994-10-04) October 4, 1994 (age 30)	National University
6	Jeanette Panaga	Middle Blocker	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)	(1994-07-25) July 25, 1994 (age 31)	College of Saint Benilde
7	Michele Theresa Gumabao	Opposite Hitter	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)	(1992-09-02) September 2, 1992 (age 32)	De La Salle University
8	Jorella Marie de Jesus	Libero	1.57 m (5 ft 2 in)	(1993-08-17) August 17, 1993 (age 32)	Ateneo de Manila University
9	Lorie Lyn Bernardo	Middle Blocker	1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)	(2000-08-01) August 1, 2000 (age 25)	University of the Philippines
10	Maria Paulina Soriano	Middle blocker	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)	(1991-12-31) December 31, 1991 (age 33)	Adamson University
11	Kyla Llana Atienza	Libero	1.67 m (5 ft 6 in)	(1997-04-12) April 12, 1997 (age 28)	Far Eastern University
15	Theo Bea Bonafe	Setter	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)		University of the Philippines
16	Rizza Jane Mandapat	Opposite Hitter	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)	(1994-02-28) February 28, 1994 (age 31)	National University
17	Rosemarie Vargas	Outside Hitter	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)	(1992-12-12) December 12, 1992 (age 32)	Far Eastern University
18	Diana Mae Carlos	Opposite Hitter	1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)	(1998-07-07) July 7, 1998 (age 27)	University of the Philippines
19	Bernadeth Pons	Outside Hitter	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)	(1996-10-19) October 19, 1996 (age 28)	Far Eastern University
20	Maria Fe Galanza	Setter	1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)	(2000-05-11) May 11, 2000 (age 25)	University of Santo Tomas
23	Jema Galanza	Outside Hitter	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)	(1996-11-28) November 28, 1996 (age 28)	Adamson University

Coaching staff Head coach: Sherwin Meneses Assistant coach: Karlo Martin Santos

Team staff Team manager: Ma. Carlota Celda Alan Acero Trainers: Mark Christopher Caron Ariel Morado Jr.

Medical staff Physical therapist: Anna Liza Demegillo

First All-Filipino Conference

Preliminary round

Standings

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	L	Pts	SW	SL	SR	SPW	SPL	SPR	Qualification
1	Creamline Cool Smashers	8	7	1	22	23	5	4.600	674	509	1.324	Final round
2	Petro Gazz Angels	8	6	2	19	20	7	2.857	651	550	1.184
3	PLDT High Speed Hitters	8	6	2	18	20	10	2.000	697	613	1.137
4	F2 Logistics Cargo Movers	8	6	2	16	18	12	1.500	646	653	0.989
5	Chery Tiggo Crossovers	8	4	4	13	15	13	1.154	633	595	1.064

Source: ^{[ citation needed ]}

Match log

2023 PVL First All-Filipino Conference preliminary round match log Total: 7–1 (22 points)
February: 5–1 (16 points) Match Date Opponent Sets Total Location Attendance Record Pts Report 1 February 4, 2023 Petro Gazz 3–0 75–60 Smart Araneta Coliseum 9,853 1–0 3 P2 2 February 9, 2023 Cignal 3–0 75–52 Filoil EcoOil Centre 3,282 2–0 6 P2 3 February 14, 2023 Choco Mucho 3–0 75–45 Smart Araneta Coliseum 9,575 3–0 9 P2 4 February 18, 2023 F2 Logistics 2–3 105–105 PhilSports Arena 6,765 3–1 10 P2 5 February 25, 2023 Chery Tiggo Crossovers 3–1 92–76 PhilSports Arena 5,562 4–1 13 P2 6 February 28, 2023 Army 3–0 75–47 PhilSports Arena 650 5–1 16 P2
March: 2–0 (6 points) Match Date Opponent Sets Total Location Attendance Record Pts Report 7 March 7, 2023 PLDT 3–0 75–58 PhilSports Arena 7,607 6–1 19 P2 8 March 14, 2023 Akari 3–1 102–76 University of San Agustin 3,514 7–1 22 P2

Final round

Bracket

	Semifinals						Championship
	March 18–21
	1 Creamline		3	3
							March 26–30
	4 F2 Logistics		1	0
							Creamline	1	3	3
	March 18–23
							Petro Gazz	3	2	1
	2 Petro Gazz	3	1	3
	3 PLDT	1	3	0
							3rd place match
							March 26–28
							F2 Logistics		3	3
							PLDT		1	1

Match log

2023 PVL First All-Filipino Conference final round match log Total: 4–1 (11 points)
Semifinals: 2–0 (6 points) Match Date Opponent Sets Total Location Attendance Series Report 1 March 18, 2023 F2 Logistics 3–1 98–82 PhilSports Arena 6,471 1–0 P2 2 March 21, 2023 F2 Logistics 3–0 75–61 SM Mall of Asia Arena 7,741 2–0 P2
Championship: 2–1 (5 points) Match Date Opponent Sets Total Location Attendance Series Report 1 March 26, 2023 Petro Gazz 1–3 95–100 SM Mall of Asia Arena 11,532 0–1 P2 2 March 28, 2023 Petro Gazz 3–2 106–90 SM Mall of Asia Arena 9,929 1–1 P2 3 March 30, 2023 Petro Gazz 3–1 95–78 SM Mall of Asia Arena 12,175 2–1 P2

Invitational Conference

Preliminary round

Pool A standings

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	L	Pts	SW	SL	SR	SPW	SPL	SPR	Qualification
1	Creamline Cool Smashers	4	4	0	12	12	1	12.000	325	252	1.290	Final round
2	PLDT High Speed Hitters	4	3	1	8	9	5	1.800	213	190	1.121
3	Chery Tiggo Crossovers	4	2	2	6	8	8	1.000	240	226	1.062	Classification round
4	Akari Chargers	4	1	3	3	6	11	0.545	352	388	0.907
5	Quezon City Gerflor Defenders	4	0	4	1	2	12	0.167	266	340	0.782

Source: PhilSports.ph

Match log

2023 PVL Invitational Conference preliminary round match log Total: 4–0 (12 points)
June: 2–0 (6 points) Match Date Opponent Sets Total Location Attendance Record Pts Report 1 June 27, 2023 Chery Tiggo 3–0 75–61 Filoil EcoOil Centre 3,685 1–0 3 P2 2 June 29, 2023 Gerflor 3–0 75–41 Filoil EcoOil Centre 2,117 2–0 6 P2
July: 2–0 (6 points) Match Date Opponent Sets Total Location Attendance Record Pts Report 3 July 13, 2023 PLDT 3–0 75–62 PhilSports Arena 2,136 3–0 9 P2 4 July 15, 2023 Akari 3–1 100–88 PhilSports Arena 6,825 4–0 12 P2

Final round

Semifinals standings

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	L	Pts	SW	SL	SR	SPW	SPL	SPR	Qualification
1	Kurashiki Ablaze	5	5	0	15	15	3	5.000	439	351	1.251	Championship match
2	Creamline Cool Smashers	5	4	1	10	13	7	1.857	447	416	1.075
3	Cignal HD Spikers	5	2	3	7	9	9	1.000	405	396	1.023	3rd place match
4	F2 Logistics Cargo Movers	5	2	3	7	8	11	0.727	421	432	0.975
5	PLDT High Speed Hitters	5	2	3	6	7	9	0.778	347	366	0.948

Source: PhilSports.ph

Match log

2023 PVL Invitational Conference final round match log Total: 3–2 (8 points)
Semifinals: 3–1 (7 points) Match Date Opponent Sets Total Location Attendance Record Pts Report – [a] July 13, 2023 PLDT 3–0 75–62 PhilSports Arena 2,136 1–0 3 P2 1 July 20, 2023 F2 Logistics 3–2 105–100 PhilSports Arena 7,018 2–0 5 P2 2 July 22, 2023 Cignal 3–2 112–98 PhilSports Arena 6,430 3–0 7 P2 3 July 25, 2023 Bắc Ninh 3–0 75–63 PhilSports Arena 3,393 4–0 10 P2 4 July 28, 2023 Kurashiki 1–3 80–93 PhilSports Arena 5,121 4–1 10 P2
Championship: 0–1 (1 point) Date Opponent Sets Total Location Attendance Report July 30, 2023 Kurashiki 2–3 105–104 PhilSports Arena 8,223 P2

Second All-Filipino Conference

Preliminary round

Standings

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	L	Pts	SW	SL	SR	SPW	SPL	SPR	Qualification
1	Creamline Cool Smashers	11	11	0	32	33	7	4.714	977	786	1.243	Final round
2	Choco Mucho Flying Titans	11	10	1	29	31	7	4.429	899	724	1.242
3	Cignal HD Spikers	11	8	3	25	26	15	1.733	947	842	1.125
4	Chery Tiggo Crossovers	11	8	3	22	26	16	1.625	851	809	1.052
5	PLDT High Speed Hitters	11	7	4	21	25	15	1.667	914	901	1.014

Source: PhilSports.ph

Match log

2023 PVL Second All-Filipino Conference preliminary round match log Total: 11–0 (32 points)
October: 4–0 (12 points) Match Date Opponent Sets Total Location Attendance Record Pts Report 1 October 15, 2023 Choco Mucho 3–1 99–81 Smart Araneta Coliseum 14,014 1–0 3 P2 2 October 21, 2023 Cignal 3–0 75–56 Batangas City Sports Center 4,607 2–0 6 P2 3 October 26, 2023 Gerflor 3–0 75–37 Ynares Center 4,481 3–0 9 P2 4 October 31, 2023 Farm Fresh 3–1 96–88 Filoil EcoOil Centre 1,607 4–0 12 P2
November: 6–0 (17 points) Match Date Opponent Sets Total Location Attendance Record Pts Report 5 November 9, 2023 Petro Gazz 3–2 113–106 PhilSports Arena 2,295 5–0 14 P2 6 November 14, 2023 F2 Logistics 3–0 75–56 Smart Araneta Coliseum 4,228 6–0 17 P2 7 November 18, 2023 PLDT 3–0 75–63 Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr. International Convention Center 9,862 7–0 20 P2 8 November 23, 2023 Nxled 3–0 75–60 PhilSports Arena 2,328 8–0 23 P2 9 November 28, 2023 Chery Tiggo 3–1 99–84 PhilSports Arena 3,167 9–0 26 P2 10 November 30, 2023 Akari 3–1 101–87 PhilSports Arena 1,133 10–0 29 P2
December: 1–0 (3 points) Match Date Opponent Sets Total Location Attendance Record Pts Report 11 December 5, 2023 Galeries Tower 3–1 94–68 PhilSports Arena 570 11–0 32 P2

Final round

Bracket

	Semifinals						Championship
	December 7–9
	1 Creamline		3	3
							December 14–16
	4 Chery Tiggo		0	0
							Creamline		3	3
	December 7–12
							Choco Mucho		1	2
	2 Choco Mucho	2	3	3
	3 Cignal	3	0	1
							3rd place match
							December 14–16
							Chery Tiggo		1	1
							Cignal		3	3

Match log

2023 PVL Second All-Filipino Conference final round match log Total: 4–0 (11 points)
Semifinals: 2–0 (6 points) Match Date Opponent Sets Total Location Attendance Series Report 1 December 7, 2023 Chery Tiggo 3–0 77–65 PhilSports Arena 2,366 1–0 P2 2 December 9, 2023 Chery Tiggo 3–0 76–66 PhilSports Arena 6,183 2–0 P2
Championship: 2–0 (5 points) Match Date Opponent Sets Total Location Attendance Series Report 1 December 14, 2023 Choco Mucho 3–1 95–94 SM Mall of Asia Arena 8,840 1–0 P2 2 December 16, 2023 Choco Mucho 3–2 115–110 Smart Araneta Coliseum 24,459 2–0 P2

Transactions

Additions

Player	Date signed	Previous team	Ref.
Bernadeth Pons	June 2, 2023	Creamline Beach Volleyball (beach volleyball)	[10]
Theo Bea Bonafe	October 13, 2023	UST Golden Tigresses (UAAP)	[16]
Mafe Galanza	October 13, 2023	UP Lady Fighting Maroons (UAAP)	[16]

Subtractions

Player	New team	Ref.
Jia de Guzman	Denso Airybees (V.League Japan)	[15]

Notes

1. The result of Creamline's game against PLDT in the Invitational Conference preliminary round was carried over to the final round. It is shown for the purpose of completeness.

References

1. Morales, Luisa (March 19, 2023). "Injured Valdez continues to be voice of reason for Creamline Cool Smashers". Philstar.com. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
2. Cruz, James Patrick (January 30, 2023). "Jia Morado-De Guzman to temporarily replace Alyssa Valdez as Creamline captain". Interaksyon. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
3. Morales, Luisa (February 18, 2023). "Cargo Movers hand Cool Smashers first loss in PVL All-Filipino". Philstar.com. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
4. Fuertes Jr., Rommel (March 7, 2023). "PVL: Creamline blanks PLDT to clinch semifinals berth". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
5. jisaga0269 (March 21, 2023). "Creamline marches to 5th straight PVL All-Filipino finals in ouster of F2". RAPPLER. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
6. Villar, Joey (February 3, 2023). "Alyssa Valdez-less Creamline begins PVL All-Filipino title defense vs Petro Gazz". Philstar.com. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
7. Karl Cedrick, Basco (March 28, 2023). "Not yet over: Creamline extends finals series vs Petro Gazz". ABS-CBN. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
8. Isaga, JR (March 30, 2023). "Creamline completes comeback, defends PVL All-Filipino title against Petro Gazz". RAPPLER. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
9. Isaga, JR (March 31, 2023). "Alyssa Valdez proud of Creamline's gutsy finals stand, first title win without her". RAPPLER. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
10. Dannug, Jonash (June 2, 2023). "Bernadeth Pons joins loaded Creamline". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
11. Isaga, JR (June 27, 2023). "Valdez returns as Creamline sweeps Eya Laure-led Chery; Cignal downs Petro Gazz". RAPPLER. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
12. Salvanera, Juris (July 15, 2023). "Creamline stays undefeated after four-set win over gritty Akari". Spin.ph. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
13. Isaga, JR (July 28, 2023). "Statement made: Kurashiki hands Creamline 1st Invitationals loss before PVL final". RAPPLER. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
14. Isaga, JR (July 30, 2023). "Japan's Kurashiki topples Creamline dynasty, wins historic PVL title". RAPPLER. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
15. Valencia, Justine (September 7, 2023). "Jia Morado signs with Japan's Denso". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
16. "In Jia's absence, Creamline taps young setters Mafe Galanza, Bea Bonafe". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
17. Isaga, JR (December 9, 2023). "Dominant Creamline sweeps Chery Tiggo, clinches 6th straight PVL All-Filipino finals". RAPPLER. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
18. Garcia, Joseph Emmanuel (December 13, 2023). "Creamline faces off Choco Mucho in PVL All-Filipino championship". BusinessWorld Online. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
19. Caacbay, Kennedy (December 16, 2023). "Sheer dominance: Creamline asserts mastery of Choco Mucho to claim all-Filipino crown". ABS-CBN. Archived from the original on June 8, 2025. Retrieved August 22, 2025.