The Cool Smashers have always been humble even as the PVL's winningest team.
The Creamline Cool Smashers are not only sitting pretty at the top of the PVL Invitational Conference standings. They are also at the finals already, just waiting for a worthy foe for the championship they previously won last year.
Creamline secured its ticket to the finals on Tuesday when it swept Vietnam’s Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh, 25-23, 25-23, 25-17, at the PhilSports Arena. It will be the team’s ninth finals appearance in PVL history, underscoring its years-long dominance of the country’s premier volleyball league for women.
Despite yet another feather in their cap, the PVL Invitational defending champions appear to have their feet planted firmly on the ground, staying humble even after all the accomplishments and accolades. In fact, coach Sherwin Meneses and team captain Alyssa Valdez had to make sure from the press postgame that the team is indeed assured of a finals slot—as if there was still any doubt after a so far unbeaten run in this midseason tourney.
Both aren’t letting success get in their head either, promising that the Cool Smashers won’t be stopping until the job is fully finished.
“Hindi pa tapos ‘yung goal namin,” Meneses told the media when asked about Creamline’s march to the finals. “Napakalaking bagay na nanalo kami ngayon kasi sure nang papasok kami sa finals. Pero siyempre, ‘yung trabaho hindi pa tapos. Paghahandaan namin mabuti ‘yung finals.
Valdez, whose return to form could not have come at a better time, shared the same sentiment while also giving credit to the young Vietnamese squad Creamline just dispatched with ease.
“We’re grateful na nanalo kami, kasi the Vietnam team really played disciplined volleyball. That’s why we’re really grateful. It’s another motivation for us to keep working hard for the finals.”
Before playing for all the marbles, though, Creamline will first get a crack at Japanese guest team Kurashiki Ablaze in what could very well be a finals preview—unless the stars align for the PLDT High Speed Hitters, where they snag the finals slot despite lower odds.
(GM)