Creamline a win away from Grand Slam and 3rd straight PVL crown

MANILA, Philippines — The third time’s the charm, and Creamline could prove just that after getting another crack at an elusive Grand Slam in the Premier Volleyball League.

Completing a PVL season sweep has evaded the Cool Smashers for the past couple of years but they find themselves on the verge of finally pulling it off after reaching the 2024 Invitational Conference final.

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Creamline made its third straight trip to the championship round in just a span of four months after overcoming Cignal, 25-18, 29-27, 17-25, 25-20, on Monday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Two weeks after overcoming a two-set deficit to pull off a come-from-behind win over Cignal in the Reinforced semifinal, the Cool Smashers asserted their mastery of the HD Spikers despite the return of their key cogs Dawn Macandili-Catindig and Vanie Gandler.

Jema Galanza still didn’t suit up for Creamline but the trio of Erica Staunton, Bernadeth Pons, and Michele Gumabao continued to deliver for the Cool Smashers, who were just five days removed from their Reinforced Conference conquest.

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READ: PVL: Creamline overcomes Kurashiki by staying ‘disciplined’

Creamline gets another go at history on Thursday at Araneta Coliseum against either the Kurashiki Ablaze or Cignal. Last year, the Ablaze outlasted the Cool Smashers in a five-set thriller to rule the Invitationals.

Two years ago, Creamline ruled the inaugural staging of the Invitational Conference, beating KingWhale Taipei but couldn’t secure a Grand Slam after settling for the bronze in the Reinforced tilt.

Creamline, which clinched a slot in the title game after hiking its record to 3-0, wraps up its elimination round campaign on Wednesday against winless Farm Fresh at Philsports Arena, where Galanza could make her return.

Cignal and defending champion Kurashiki–both sporting 2-1 slates–dispute the last final seat also on Wednesday.