Creamline, Cignal roll over Belen-less Capital1, Akari as PVL on Tour kicks off in Vigan

Familiar faces don new threads as the PVL returns to action, with contenders Creamline and Cignal respectively sweeping Capital1 and Akari to kick off the 2025 PVL on Tour preseason tilt in Vigan, Ilocos Sur

MANILA, Philippines – Vigan City got first dibs on this year’s batch of retooled PVL rosters as Creamline and Cignal respectively swept their foes Capital1 and Akari to kick off the 2025 PVL on Tour preseason tournament at the Chavit Coliseum in Ilocos Sur on Sunday, June 22.

The Cool Smashers, coming off a heartbreaking three-game All-Filipino Conference finals against the Petro Gazz Angels, went to town against a Solar Spikers side still without highly anticipated No. 1 overall pick Bella Belen to the tune of a 25-10, 25-21, 25-10 sweep in just an hour and 22 minutes.

Jema Galanza scattered her name across the stat sheet with a game-high 12 points off 9 attacks, 2 aces, and a block, while Michele Gumabao scored 11 off 10 attacks and a rejection.

Pangs Panaga added 10 points, Ageless Alyssa Valdez scored 9, and middle blockers Lorie Bernardo and rookie Sheena Toring each netted 5, as Kyle Negrito orchestrated a well-rounded offense with 19 excellent sets.

Rovie Instrella paced the sorry Capital1 debut of Alas Pilipinas Women head coach Jorge Souza de Brito with a low team-high of 7 points, as Iris Tolenada tossed 14 excellent sets.

Meanwhile, the new faces of the Cignal HD Spikers immediately showed off in their first unofficial games as the Akari Chargers fell in a close sweep, 25-23, 25-14, 25-23.

Erika Santos, formerly of Cignal’s sister team PLDT, topscored with 14 points as new team captain Gel Cayuna erupted for 21 excellent sets and 5 points in just three sets played.

Tin Tiamzon, who broke a two-year retirement after last playing for defunct F2 Logistics, quickly brushed off rust with 11 points and 14 excellent receptions as the only other double-digit scorer of the HD Spikers, while Buding Duremdes anchored the defense with 19 digs.

Eli Soyud led the losing effort with 12 points as Grethcel Soltones scored 11.

Capital1’s Belen, Cignal’s Vanie Gandler and Dawn Catindig, and Akari’s Fifi Sharma all sat out their respective games due to ongoing Alas duties, and will likely continue to sit until the national team period is over this October.

All four teams return on Monday, June 23, in a back-to-back situation as Cignal takes on Capital1 at 4pm, while Akari battles Creamline at 6:30 pm. – Rappler.com