When the stakes were high in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals, Bea De Leon stood tall—literally and figuratively—powering defending champions Creamline to a dominant sweep of Chery Tiggo.
Known for her leadership and defensive prowess, the former UAAP Finals MVP proved instrumental in shutting down the Crossovers’ offense. De Leon recorded five blocks in each game of the best-of-three series, forming an impenetrable wall that disrupted Chery Tiggo’s attackers while reinforcing Creamline’s defensive structure.
For De Leon, the mission was simple: fulfill her role and make a difference where it mattered most.
“Actually, coming to the game gusto ko lang talaga magawa yung role ko. I knew it’s gonna be hard, I wasn’t really scoring a lot, but I really, really, really made sure na makatulong ako sa team, and ma-secure namin,” she said.
Her efforts were immediately felt in Game 1, where she contributed 11 points—including her signature net defense—to help Creamline secure a commanding 25-10, 27-25, 25-21 victory. The Cool Smashers carried that momentum into Game 2, where De Leon elevated her performance with 14 points, delivering seven attacks, five kill blocks, and two service aces in a 20-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-22 win at the Ynares Center on Saturday night.
With Creamline now in the semifinals, De Leon credited head coach Sherwin Meneses for her improved blocking efficiency, highlighting how his system has allowed her to execute her role to perfection.
“Yung blocking? ‘Di ko alam. But we have a training for that. So nasa sistema lang din po ako naka-base. Effective naman din siya, I put (my) trust to Coach Sherwin’s system, and super bonus talaga na pumupuntos siya,” she explained.
Beyond individual performance, De Leon emphasized how disciplined training and trust in Meneses’ game plan have been crucial in Creamline’s success. The Cool Smashers’ structured approach, built on strong fundamentals, has allowed them to consistently deliver when it matters most.
“Yun, everyday naman kami ni-reremind ni Coach Sherwin na trabaho lang kami. Kahit mahaba, siyempre, may sistema siya so naka-pace talaga 'yon. And everyday din talaga, binibigay niya din sa amin kung ano kailangan, and may tiwala din kami doon,” De Leon added.
“We always really maximize and work on everything from the basics, do what we need to do, kung sino na yung kalaban namin. Systematic naman din siya, mindset lang, ayun lang din talaga.”
