It’s official: Creamline is still the standard in the PVL after sweeping the Akari Chargers in the 2024 Reinforced Conference.
And just like that, Creamline are the PVL Reinforced Conference Champions. In a masterful display, the Cool Smashers swept upstart Akari 25-15, 25-23, 25-17 to win their ninth overall PVL title.
Bernadeth Pons led Creamline with 19 points, 12 excellent digs, and 13 excellent receptions, while Erica Staunton followed with 13 markers. Michele Gumabao added 10, while veteran middle blocker Pangs Panaga chipped in seven points.
“Super thankful din talaga kasi iba rin ‘yung pinagdaanan namin this [conference]. Kahit noong umpisa pa lang, kita na we started this season with a loss agad agad. But andon talaga ‘yung kapit and andon ‘yung tiwala ni coach [Sherwin Meneses] samin. Yun ‘yung hinding hindi talaga nawala ever since na nagsstruggle kami, kahit hindi namin mapakita ‘yung best namin that game,” said captain Michele Gumabao.
Without question, Creamline remains the PVL’s golden standard. However, this title might be extra sweeter. Here are a few reasons why.
Testament to continuity
Creamline entered the conference missing three stars: Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos, and Jema Galanza. Valdez and Carlos were nursing undisclosed injuries, while Galanza had national team commitments with Alas Pilipinas.
Creamline started slow in the Reinforced Conference before finding their groove over time. Their holdovers stepped up big time, especially Bernadeth Pons and captain Gumabao.
Pons was a two-way threat that led to Conference and Finals MVP honors as she capitalized big time on extended minutes. Gumabao was a steady contributor, while Kyle Negrito showed fine playmaking. Panaga occasionally chipped in as well.
While a reflection of depth, it’s also a reflection of Sherwin Meneses’ system that emphasizes team play and continuity. Ask any Creamline player, and they would always say “Pare-parehas kami nang ginagawa sa training.”
First Reinforced Conference title in six years; ninth overall PVL title
Creamline last won the Reinforced Conference title with Kuttika Kapewin in 2018. They finished second behind Petro Gazz in 2018, and third in 2019. Simply put, this wasn’t a conference that favored the Cool Smashers.
But today, they’ve finally returned to the mountaintop. It’s even sweeter given the team’s “depleted” roster that nearly fell to Cignal in the semifinals.
“Sobrang big blessing ‘to for us…Mas mahirap siguro ‘yung kabuuan na pinagdaanan ng team this [conference] kasi madami rin talaga nawala. So looking forward lang din talaga how the team will go from here,” Gumabao said.
As mentioned, this is also Creamline’s ninth overall PVL title, further emphasizing their dominance in Philippine volleyball.
A perfect find in Erica Staunton
Erica Staunton was a revelation after joining up with Pons and Gumabao to spearhead Creamline’s offense. While a lethal scorer, she is also willing to take a backseat for the locals to shine.
Head coach Sherwin Meneses and Gumabao also vouched for Erica. In past games, they lauded her fit in the system, as well as Creamline’s overall culture. As Michele Gumabao puts it, Erica is “really a leader no matter how young she is”.
Staunton is only 23 years old, yet has exhibited championship-level talent. The PVL is also her first pro league, so what more if she gets more exposure after the Reinforced Conference.
“I couldn’t have done it without my amazing teammates, so I feel very lucky that I was brought to a team like Creamline. But yeah, this experience has been unbelievable. I don’t know if there’s better volleyball fans than out there in the Philippines. So I think I’m very lucky I’ve had this as my first pro contract,” Staunton reflected.
Without question, this won’t be Erica’s last year in the PVL. If so, we’re bound to see a high-level caliber import grow further before our eyes.
Banner image courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.