BY winning a record eighth Premier Volleyball League crown, Creamline cemented its status as the league’s most successful club and it’s not even close.

After claiming another championship for the Cool Smashers, Jema Galanza wanted more hardware.

Amid the euphoria of their epic 20-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22, 15-11 triumph over Choco Mucho late Sunday, Galanza’s spirited declaration resonated through the Smart Araneta Coliseum:

“Dadagdagan pa namin – 9, 10 or 11? Forever.”

Her words, initially light-hearted, carried a weighty implication – the Cool Smashers’ PVL dominance was far from waning.

Galanza’s performance throughout the series, a beacon of brilliance amidst the intensity, steered her team to a resounding victory in the All-Filipino Conference Finals.

When Tots Carlos faltered and Alyssa Valdez saw her court time significantly diminished, it was Galanza who relentlessly challenge Choco Mucho’s formidable defense with an array of shots.

Galanza stood tall, seizing control when the odds seemed insurmountable and delivering when it mattered most.

In Game 1, Galanza had 20 points and 13 receptions to power Creamline to series-opening victory.

Another 20-point outing in the clincher was a testament to her unwavering resolve, ably supported by Bernadette Pons, Pangs Panaga and Carlos, who each showcased their own brand of excellence.

Yet, it wasn’t just Galanza’s offensive prowess that shone, her defensive acumen was equally impressive.

Teaming up with Pons, she displayed versatility and grit, anchoring Creamline’s defense with 16 excellent receptions.

After Bea de Leon’s title-clinching two-handed putaway and celebrations ensued, Galanza reflected on the team’s remarkable journey, encapsulating the essence of their triumph.

“It’s truly an overwhelming feeling because we never expected to make it to the finals…but here we are, champions once again,” said Galanza, who emerged as the Finals MVP.

It was not an easy conference for the Cool Smashers.

Tied with PLDT in fourth place at 8-3 in the preliminaries, Creamline needed to win in the points tiebreaker to secure a place in the semifinals.

After losing to the Flying Titans in the semis opener, as Galanza and company played without Carlos who was trying to get drafted in the KOVO pro league in South Korea, the Cool Smashers hurdled two must-win matches to reach the league’s biggest stage.

Behind their success stood Sherwin Meneses, the mastermind behind Creamline’s strategic brilliance.

In the pivotal Game 2, his coaching prowess came to the fore, especially when his team was staring from a 1-2 set deficit.

Drawing on the depth of his bench and instilling unswerving belief, Meneses orchestrated a comeback to steer the Cool Smashers in sweeping the Finals.

But amidst the accolades, where the winningest PVL coach has now won his fifth title, Meneses remained humble, attributing their success to the collective effort of every member of the team.

For him, it was about teamwork, unity and a relentless commitment to excellence.

The Cool Smashers stood tall, their indomitable spirit and unyielding determination etching their names in league history.

Creamline promised to defy the tremendous odds and secure more championships in the face of an ever-competitive PVL landscape.