After having its 19-game winning streak broken last game, Creamline returned to its winning ways to cap its PVL All-Filipino Conference preliminary round schedule.

The Cool Smashers pulled through a big second set comeback to dismantle Galeries Tower, 25-15, 26-24, 25-19, on Thursday at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City,  locking the No. 1 spot with a 10-1 (win-loss) standing heading into the knockout qualifying round.

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Tots Carlos finished with 18 points on 16 kills, a block and an ace as Alyssa Valdez delivered 16 points from 15 attacks and a block .

SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024-2025

“We’re happy… we ranked first. I think there’s a bit of an advantage since we’ll be facing a lower-ranked team. But this is also the time when we can’t afford to relax because it’s all knockout games from here on,” coach Sherwin Meneses said as his crew bounced back from a first loss in a while handed by PLDT in Antipolo City.

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“This is the part where we need to give our 110% because the preliminaries are over. Now, we’ll focus on preparing for the qualifiers,” he added.

Petro Gazz, which is playing Nxled as of posting, is also assured as the second seed followed by Cignal, which has earlier secured its seat at No. 3.

Creamline Cool Smashers’ Alyssa Valdez during a game against Galeries Tower High Risers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Kyle Negrito dished out 16 excellent sets.

“We’re happy that we bounced back in the second set, and coach kept guiding me on what to do,” Carlos said. “I’d say it’s because of coach Sherwin—he really guided me personally in this game while also giving us the freedom to make our own decisions.”

READ: PVL: PLDT ends Creamline’s winning streak in five-set thriller

The Highrisers surprised Creamline with a 16-9 lead in an attempt to take the second frame before Valdez took matters into her own hands and played a big part in a 15-5 exchange to steal the middle set.

Valdez tied the game at 22-all before giving the Cool Smashers the lead for good with a cross-court hit followed by a big block on Julia Coronel. Andrea Marzan forced it to an extended set before Tots Carlos and Valdez paired up for a 2-0 set advantage.

The third frame wasn’t as competitive anymore with Creamline determined to finish the game early, 20-13. Galeries Tower still cut the deficit somehow at 23-19 before Graze Bombita pushed the ball too strong to put Creamline at match point and Pau Soriano hammering down a sharp quick attack.

Roselle Baliton paced Galeries Tower with 10 points and Fenela Emnas had 13 excellent sets, but it all went down the drain as the Highrisers ended the preliminary round with a lone win to show in 11 games, similar with Capital1, as they await their final position heading into the qualifying round.