The Cool Smashers claimed their sixth title in eight finals appearances.
Alyssa Valdez didn’t play a single game in the PVL All-Filipino Conference, but she made her presence felt nonetheless on the sidelines for the Creamline Cool Smashers.
That’s why the Cool Smashers dedicated the All-Filipino Conference title to their team captain, who is still recuperating from a knee injury.
“Itong game namin talaga is for the fans and of course kay Ate Ly na sobrang miss na namin kasama sa loob ng court. Babawi kami para kay Ate Ly,” said Jema Galanza after disposing of Petro Gazz Angels in Game 3, 20-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-15 on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Newly-minted best setter Jia de Guzman echoed her sentiments, adding that the coaching staff led by Sherwin Meneses helped the Cool Smashers up their game in the absence of their superstar spiker.
“For this conference mas pinanghawakan namin relationship namin as a team. Coach Sherwin and the coaching staff helped us level up our game kasi we know na si Ate Ly is not with us on the court pero nandyan sa gilid ready to coach us, ready to be there for us all the time,” she said.
“So kinukuha namin lakas ng loob namin from that. So nagpapasalamat kami kay Ate Ly, sa team captain namin.”
Coach Sherwin Meneses said that in the absence of Valdez, the rest stepped up. That’s why the Cool Smashers were able to seize their fourth All-Filipino crown, and their sixth overall title in eight finals appearances.
“Nag-respond 'yung players kaya nakuha namin 'yung championship,” said Meneses.