MANILA, Philippines —In full MVP mode, Bernadeth Pons made sure to keep Creamline’s five-peat dream alive against its toughest challenger yet, Petro Gazz, in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals.

HIGHLIGHTS: PVL All Filipino Finals Game 2 – Creamline vs Petro Gazz

Pons unleashed 22 points, including several clutch hits in the fifth set, leading Creamline past the gritty Petro Gazz, 25-15, 16-25, 25-21, 15-25, 15-9, in Game 2 to force a winner-take-all Game 3 for the championship.

The reigning Reinforced Conference MVP, who also had 12 excellent receptions and nine digs, said the Cool Smashers made sure not to repeat the same mistakes from the series opener, where they started flat in the fifth and wasted a comeback from a two-set deficit.

READ: PVL Finals: Creamline gets back at Petro Gazz, forces deciding Game 3

“That fifth set in the last game really taught us a lesson. We pushed all the way but didn’t get the win. That stuck with us, and now in this game, we didn’t want to let that happen again,” said Pons in Filipino.

“Our mindset was just to take it one point at a time. If we made a mistake, we let it go and focused on the next play. That really helped the team stay focused.”

Bernadeth Pons and the Creamline Cool Smashers in Game 2 of the PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals against Petro Gazz Angels. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Pons showed nerves of steel in front of over 11,000 screaming fans at Smart Araneta Coliseum, with Creamline on the brink of having its crown knocked off by a more veteran Petro Gazz side.

“Like what Coach told us after Game 1 — it’s not over. So we shouldn’t overthink it because there’s still Game 2, and it’s still in our hands. Even earlier today before we headed out, our reminder to each other was that we won’t give up this game until it’s truly over. We’re not stopping,” Pons said.

Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses, Jema Galanza, and Bernadeth Pons after forcing Game 3. #PVL2025 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/cJotRVHqFT

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) April 10, 2025

With a chance for Creamline to add to its growing legacy in the PVL, expect Pons to come out with the same fire in the deciding Game 3 set for Saturday.

“We’re going all out on Saturday. It’s the last one — no more chances after this. So that’s it, we’re giving everything. All out. All heart. We’ve come this far, and we’re going to fight for it,” she said.