Are we going to see the Creamline Cool Smashers play in the semifinals without The Phenom?
Before the start of the 2023 PVL All-Filipino Conference, coach Sherwin Meneses was open to the possibility of team captain Alyssa Valdez returning to action for the Creamline Cool Smashers. Now, the powerhouse squad is looking at playing in the semifinals for the first team without their Ate Ly.
"As of now, 'di pa siya talaga pwedeng maglaro. Number one priority 'yung health niya," Meneses said after their victory against the Akari Chargers in Iloilo.
"Actually, nag-prepare naman kami na wala si Ly bago mag-start 'yung season," he added.
Valdez continues her rehabilitation after suffering a knee injury last season. The Cool Smashers also reported last month that the three-time PVL conference Most Valuable Player underwent a procedure to "help her recover faster."
She's a constant presence for Creamline at the sidelines though. Co-captain Jia De Guzman shared how Valdez gave them advice after losing an extended third set to Akari, 29-27.
"She always gives us a lot of valuable input and criticism na makakatulong sa game," De Guzman told the media.
"Especially after nung third set kanina that we lost, she gave us things we had to fix and nakatulong naman 'yun. Kita naman 'yun sa laro namin nung fourth set."
Meneses had called on his second stringers in the fourth frame and they went on a blitz to seal Creamline's victory, 25-8, and end the Cool Smashers' elimination campaign at 7-1.
Creamline would have to rely on their entire roster more heading to the semifinals, as the top seed await their opponent. This would depend on the results of the PLDT High Speed Hitters vs Choco Mucho Flying Titans match on Thursday.
A PLDT win would push the High Speed Hitters to third place. This would mean Creamline could face the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers—the squad which handed their only loss of the preliminaries.