Expect an exciting conference ahead.
Until further notice, the Creamline Cool Smashers are the team to beat in the upcoming PVL Invitational Conference, which is set to begin on June 27.
But, as far as Creamline’s Alyssa Valdez and Creamline are concerned, the competition is a level playing field—never mind if nearly every other team added two, three, or even four or more high-profile recruits to their rosters.
“Equal footing talaga lahat,” was Valdez’s honest assessment of the competition for the PVL’s midseason tourney, where the Cool Smashers are the defending champions.
Assuming she is right, what then will be the difference-maker in this highly-anticipated tournament?
The former MVP thinks jelling is one of the keys.
“One thing na magdi-differentiate talaga [is] kung kaninong system ang magpe-play right away, kasi it’s a really fast conference,” Valdez further explained during her guesting on Tuesday at One Sports' The Game.
Creamline is at an advantage in this regard as its key players have been playing together for several years now.
Another crucial factor, according to Valdez, is good health.
“The team that will be healthy all season, that will make a big difference, kasi lahat pantay-pantay na talaga—quality of players, the support of the teams, everything’s already there,” Valdez elaborated. “And lahat talaga all-out support para mag-champion and para manalo. So, the level of competition will definitely be higher.”
Even so, the rest of the field will still be looking up to Valdez’s Creamline squad—unless, of course, the rest of the field steps up.
(GM)