The Cool Smashers are putting emphasis on keeping their players healthy.
The Creamline Cool Smashers racked up another victory in the PVL All-Filipino Conference after a straight set win against the Army-Black Mamba Lady Troopers, 25-15, 25-20, 25-12.
The Cool Smashers' record improved to 5-1 while also officially booting the Lady Troopers out of playoff contention.
Coach Sherwin Meneses lauded the team’s effort, especially their bench players, who provided the necessary spark to allow the short-handed Cool Smashers to grab the victory.
“Hindi lang ilang points 'yung nailaro nila, almost one set 'yung mga stringers. 'Yun 'yung napakagandang nangyari ngayon,” said Meneses. “Sa mga next game namin, alam namin kung sino 'yung makakatulong pa sa amin. Lahat naman kasi 'yan ready eh.”
Rose Vargas contributed 7 points. She started for Jema Galanza, who was feeling under the weather.
Meneses, though, quickly deflated injury concerns.
“Wala naman siyang injury, masama lang ang pakiramdam niya,” said Meneses, who clarified it was a last-minute decision to sit Galanza out. “Hindi rin namin alam na hindi siya makakalaro ngayon, so ang [preparation] namin is si Jema to play in the first six.”
With Galanza out and Alyssa Valdez still recovering from her knee injury, it was Tots Carlos who stepped up for the Cool Smashers as she finished with 17 points off 14 attacks, 1 block, and 2 aces.
Carlos had been dealing with a minor injury in the past week, but disclosed she is now feeling better.
"I feel great. Minor injury lang naman," Carlos said. "Okay na ako."
Meneses hopes they can now put all the health woes behind them as they prepare for their upcoming games.
“Hopefully maging maganda 'yung pakiramdam kasi medyo dikit-dikit na 'yung mga games. Tatrabahuhin namin maging healthy muna kami sa mga next games namin,” the coach said.