For defending champion Creamline, there’s no time to dwell on the past.
The top-seeded Cool Smashers have turned their focus to the remaining battles ahead as they fight to keep their championship aspirations alive in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.
Their semifinals campaign got off to a shaky start after absorbing a four-set defeat against the Petro Gazz Angels, 23-25, 22-25, 25-21, 16-25, at the Ynares Center last Saturday night. It was only their second loss this conference, both coming at the same venue, after previously bowing to PLDT in the preliminaries.
Despite the setback, Creamline captain Alyssa Valdez remained steadfast, knowing that lingering on the loss would only be detrimental to their title defense. With crucial matches against Akari and Choco Mucho looming, the Cool Smashers must quickly recalibrate and regain their winning form.
“Definitely, it wasn't the happy-happy na Cool Smashers but I think everyone was taking it in, trying to leave everything that happened here in Ynares and move forward,” said Valdez, who delivered an all-around performance with 10 points, 10 excellent digs, and 10 excellent receptions.
“It was a tough loss. I guess it's not the ideal way to start the semifinals, but the coaches reminded us that it happened already. We have to let it go kasi importante na 'yung mga next games namin. So as much as we want to dwell on it, we have to move forward and focus on the next game,” she added.
Silence, Then Resolve
Inside the Creamline dugout, the air was heavy with disappointment. The usually lively squad was uncharacteristically quiet. But head coach Sherwin Meneses and his staff knew they had to quickly snap their players out of the moment.
“Very quiet, but sila coach kasi reminded us na if we stay like this kami rin 'yung maapektuhan talaga. So siya rin 'yung nagsabi na iwan na natin dito, move forward, and focus sa training tomorrow,” Valdez shared.
The Cool Smashers know that their path to the finals has become more complicated. Now, the goal is clear: they must deliver dominant performances in their remaining matches against Akari on Tuesday and Choco Mucho on Thursday to boost their chances of securing one of the two championship slots.
Losing the first game of the semifinals was not part of Creamline’s script. After years of being the league’s gold standard, the Cool Smashers find themselves in unfamiliar territory—facing adversity and the possibility of missing out on another finals appearance.
But for Valdez and the rest of the squad, this challenge is one they willingly embrace.
“Yeah, it's not the start that we wanted. The challenge is very big, but... accepted. We put ourselves in this situation, kami 'yung kailangan na gumawa ng paraan kung gusto talaga namin kahit papaano ma-save 'yung season na 'to.”
