PVL: Bea De Leon, Denden Revilla-Lazaro set to make Creamline debut vs. Akari

Creamline opened its title-retention bid without fielding two of its high-profile recruits last Saturday.

The Cool Smashers missed the services of Bea de Leon and Denden Lazaro-Revilla in their four-set victory over the Farm Fresh Foxies in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.

Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses said that the two former Choco Mucho stalwarts, along with Dij Rodriguez, are still ramping up their conditioning.

"Actually gusto na namin maglaro sila eh kaso 'yung protocol sa health medyo kapos pa," Meneses said.

"Galing sila sa therapy, so hindi pa masyado maka-ensayo nang maganda."

Meneses assured though that the three will be suiting up when Creamline faces Akari on February 29 at the PhilSports Arena.

"We have three days to prepare until Thursday. Nauna na ako mag-announce, maglalaro sila sa Thursday," he said.

Five players, including Bea Bonafe and Rizza Mandapat who were on the reserves list, did not suit up for the Cool Smashers. 

Still, Tots Carlos underscored the impact of the players who did not see action on the court.

"Although they didn’t play today I think they’re still part of the game kasi we practice with them so yung second six namin hindi lang sila basta hindi pinapansin we really train every day very hard lahat yan kami sama sama. Yung diskarte ni coach sino maglalaro today we really respected," Carlos said.

"What I can assure is everyone is treated very well in the team and very equal yung trato sa aming lahat. I’m really happy na nasa team sila dagdag competition, we’re really happy na nandyan sila nakasuporta samin."