She had nothing but heartwarming words for her teammates.
Eleven players scored for the Creamline Cool Smashers in their straight-sets domination of the Gerflor Defenders on Thursday in the PVL Second All-Filipino Conference at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Many fans noted the PVL debut of young setter Bea Bonafe, as she activated her middle blockers such as fellow former UP Fighting Maroon Lorie Bernardo.
One sequence had Bonafe utilizing Ella de Jesus' dig, setting it up for Jema Galanza.
Bonafe couldn't help but gush when asked about her impressive debut for Creamline.
"I feel so happy, because I'm finally in a team na inaalagaan ako, (who) believes in me," she told reporters after the match.
Cool Smashers coach Sherwin Meneses, who had earlier praised Bonafe for her perseverance, said the rookie setter's opportunity to shine started in practice.
"Deserve niya na makalaro sa PVL. Gagaling pa naman kasi sobrang sipag niya," said Meneses, a former setter himself.
Creamline's depth has worked wonders, as the team remains undefeated in three games.
"With the system of Coach Sherwin, it's not like 'yung ipapasok sa first six, sila lang ang important. We also feel important in training, 'di lang six ang naglalaro," Bonafe said. "I'm really happy and excited to train so far."
She may get another chance to shine as Creamline takes on the still-winless Farm Fresh Foxies on Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
(With reports from Jamie Velasco, One Sports Digital)
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