She is feeling the good vibes.
The Creamline Cool Smashers have more firepower than ever for the PVL's third conference this season.
Exhibit A: Bernadeth Pons.
The outside hitter already suited up for the squad during the Invitational Conference but saw limited minutes. But it looks like that's going to change in the second All-Filipino Conference.
"I think si Pons is 100% na siya this conference," coach Sherwin Meneses told One Sports during practice on Monday. "Hopefully, 'yung playing time, mas marami sa kanya."
The 26-year-old Pons admitted there was a bit of a challenge with her knee getting used to the hard court of indoor volleyball from a career on the sands.
"Struggle talaga pagbalik ko ng indoor. 'Di maganda 'yung reaction ng tuhod ko," she admitted. "'Yun 'yung winork out namin nung offseason. Hopefully, 100% na pagbalik ko."
Hey, she looked pretty upbeat during practice. It's a Creamline thing.
"As Creamline, laging ina-apply talaga 'yung happy-happy sa team. Good vibes lang palagi kahit nahihirapan sa training. Laban pa rin," Pons shared.
But don't get it wrong, good vibes don't mean they slack off. It's one thing that Pons also learned after one conference with the Cool Smashers.
"'Yung pagiging professional talaga, kasi role model talaga 'yung ates namin. Sobrang professional nila pagdating sa training, sa lahat ng bagay. On time lagi sa training, disciplined talaga," she shared.
And for the first time in the PVL, Pons will be meeting longtime beach volleyball partner Sisi Rondina at the opposite end of the court to open the conference this Sunday against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans.
They've played against each other before in college. But how will things pan out in the pros?
"Good luck sa atin!" she said, laughing, in a message to Rondina. "Basta every game, lagi naming binibigay all-out."
It's going to be a different kind of Cool Smashers, as the champion squad will be playing without star setter Jia de Guzman, who's now in the Japan V.League with the Denso Airybees. Still, team captain Alyssa Valdez remains upbeat with the squad's heartstrong mentality. And Meneses has nothing but trust and confidence in Kyle Negrito's turn as senior playmaker for the squad.
Catch Creamline take on the Choco Mucho Flying Titans live at 7 p.m. on One Sports, One Sports+, and the Pilipinas Live app.
(PM)