MANILA (UPDATED) – Make that seven crowns.

The Creamline Cool Smashers are champions once again in the Premier Volleyball League – their second straight All-Filipino title this season.

The dominant Sherwin Meneses-led squad escaped their sister team Choco Mucho in a five-set thriller, 22-25, 25-20, 29-27, 24-26, 15-12, in front of a record-breaking crowd in the 2023 PVL All-Filipino Conference finals on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The Cool Smashers went undefeated in their 15-game run in the All-Filipino tourney, a repeat of their 20-game sweep of the 2019 Open Conference.

It was also a monumental moment for the sport as the faceoff was seen by 24,459 fans – the most attendees in a volleyball match in the Philippines.

• Creamline outclasses Choco Mucho, nears PVL All-Filipino crown

Hard-hitting Tots Carlos paved the road for the Cool Smashers, who nabbed her third Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors after a 26-point performance in the triumph.

League's second-best outside spiker Jema Galanza contributed 21 markers on 18 attacks, while "Clutch Queen" team captain Alyssa Valdez delivered the championship-winning kill in the decider.

PVL Most Valuable Player Sisi Rondina of Choco Mucho also proved her prowess in the match, pacing her team with a Finals record 33 points built on 29 attacks. Maddie Madayag and Kat Tolentino were also in double-digit territory for the violet jerseys.

The Flying Titans, down 2-1 in the match, surged to a 24-21 cushion in the fourth set off a successful block touch challenge on Galanza's attack.

However, the Cool Smashers fought their way back which started with Carlos' off-the-block hit to reach a deuce at 24-all and extend the chapter.

Madayag stopped the bleeding for the Flying Titans, and then Creamline's Bernadeth Pons gave the set to her rivals after overcooking an attempt – sending the match to a deciding Set 5.

Choco Mucho looked like they were extending the series after a 6-3 start in the rubber set, but Creamline regained its composure and tied the game at 7-apiece.

The pink jerseys eventually took the lead and established a 12-10 cushion, but Rondina quickly scored one off-the-blockers to make it a one-point game.

Creamline's Michele Gumabao, who was named Best Opposite Hitter, unleashed a sharp spike to close into championship point, 13-11.

• Volleyball: Sisi Rondina wins breakthrough PVL MVP award

Cherry Nunag's block attempt on Valdez went out, but Rondina refused to give up and did what she does best – hit back and score. Unfortunately for the Flying Titans, Valdez shut the door as she delivered the title-clinching kill for the Cool Smashers.

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Overwhelmed with emotions after the victory, Valdez said she could not be prouder of her hardworking teammates.

"Can't express how proud I am with the effort na ginawa nila today and every single game this conference. 'Yung mantra namin this conference, 'one game at a time,' literally, and 'one point at a time,' and we were able to manage to get that final point today," the Creamline captain said.

"I'm very, very proud. I think everyone really had their moment this conference, and that's one thing our coaches really prepared us for – this moment," Valdez added.

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