CREAMLINE cemented its status as one of the most decorated clubs in Philippine volleyball, by completing a grand sweep of the Premier Volleyball League titles this season.

The Cool Smashers are the pro league’s gold standard, and it is not even close, winning 10 championships in a dominant run started in 2019.

“Hindi madali kunin itong Grand Slam pero nakuha namin,” said coach Sherwin Meneses after Creamline nipped Cignal, 21-25, 25-17, 20-25, 26-24, 15-13, in an epic Invitational Conference Final at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.

It was Meneses’ seventh PVL title overall, the most successful coach in the league. The Cool Smashers’ first three crowns earned under Thai mentor Tai Bundit.

It was an unprecedented achievement for Creamline – winning all three PVL titles in a single season that no other club has done before since the league’s inception in 2017.

The Cool Smashers failed in their triple crown chase in the past two seasons before pulling off this one.

Creamline’s bid for a Grand Slam in 2022 fell short, as the team struggled during the Reinforced Conference and finished third, despite winning the Open and Invitational titles earlier in the year.

The Cool Smashers swept the All-Filipino championships at stake last year, but lost to Japan’s Kurashiki Ablaze in the Invitational Final.

There is no denying Creamline from achieving the feat this year.

The decisive moment came when Jema Galanza, making just her second appearance back in a Cool Smashers jersey after completing her Alas Pilipinas duties, delivered the game-winning point with a powerful off-the-block hit to sew up a six-match sweep of the Invitationals.

The venue erupted into celebration with Creamline fans filling more than half of the Big Dome.

“This victory means so much to us. Coming into this conference, ang mindset lang namin is to hold on to the advantage na matagal na kaming magkakasama. Alam ng lahat ang role ng bawat isa, yung respect namin sa isa’t isa, talagang super,” said Kyle Negrito the conference’s Best Setter who also bagged the Finals MVP.

Import Erica Staunton, who also stood out with her remarkable performance in a gripping mano-a-mano duel with HD Spikers counterpart MJ Perez, has nothing to ask for in her fruitful overseas debut.

“I’m gonna miss my team, I don’t want to get emotional. I love this team so much,” said Staunton, who will next play in Finland to continue her professional journey.