Creamline’s Jaja Santiago-Minowa. PVL Images
MANILA — Creamline is looking to be the team to beat in the 2026 PVL Invitational Conference.
This year's All-Filipino Conference champion—already entrenched with a deep roster, flexing a long list of MVPs in its squad—had added Jaja Santiago-Minowa, an international player who is actually bound for the United States, during the offseason for the six-team tilt.
With Santiago-Minowa on the taraflex, Creamline is looking dangerous as ever, staying as the only unscathed team with a demolition of Ho Chi Minh City in just one hour and 18 minutes, 25-18, 25-16, 25-6, on Tuesday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
READ: PVL: In-form Creamline makes quick work of Ho Chi Minh City for 2-0 start
Still, the Cool Smashers are staying cautious, focusing on the rooms for improvement as the tournament progresses, such as limiting errors in-game.
“I think ‘yung errors namin, kailangan pa namin i-minimize,” said Santiago-Minowa.
“It’s just na marami kaming binigay na errors sa kanila same as yesterday’s game. The communication, kailangan pa namin pag-igihan lalo na sa mga free ball na dumadating, especially ‘yung mga good touches sa block,” she added.
READ: PVL: Jaja still working on chemistry with Creamline — 'Sistema nila 'yun'
The star middle blocker from Japan SV.League bared that she was told to share whatever she could to the team.
“For two games, siguro ang laging mindset ko [is] to contribute sa team, especially sa attack and block. Anuman ang kaya kong mai-share sa kanila, the experience, the leadership, and the communication, consistent reminder din sa lahat—I think yun yung kaya kong ibigay sa team,” she added.
For Jema Galanza, Santiago-Minowa is looking sharp as ever, citing her experience on playing against her in their UAAP days.
“Well, mas mabilis siya ngayon. Mas smart and alam niya yung ginagawa niya sa loob ng court. So, kaya hindi mo talaga siya kailangan—I mean, hindi mo siya kailangan isipin kasi alam alam niya yung gagawin,” said Galanza.
Santiago-Minowa, Galanza, and Tots Carlos had 12 points each against the visiting Vietnamese squad.
With defending champion PLDT absorbing a straight-set loss at the hands of Nxled earlier in the day, the race to the finals alongside Creamline blew wide open.