Bea de Leon and Denden Lazaro-Revilla finally reconnected with former Ateneo teammates Alyssa Valdez and Ella De Jesus in Creamline in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Creamline finally rolled out the red carpet for its high-profile recruits on Thursday night.
After missing the campaign opener due to health clearance concerns, Bea de Leon and Denden Lazaro-Revilla made their much-anticipated team debut versus Akari in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
The former Choco Mucho stalwarts, now donning white-and-pink threads, provided energy off the bench, helping the Tots Carlos-led Cool Smashers hold off the Chargers, 25-22, 21-25, 25-22, 25-18.
De Leon contributed five points in two sets played, while Revilla shared coverage duties with starting libero Kyla Atienza and collected 11 excellent receptions.
[ALSO READ: LIST: Creamline's Tots Carlos joins PVL All-Filipino 30 Point Club]
It was a triumphant showing for the two newcomers, who did not just relish their first act with Creamline but also soaked in the moment of reconnecting with their former Ateneo teammates.
For the first time in nearly a decade, De Leon and Revilla donned the same colors as Alyssa Valdez and Ella de Jesus.
"Ako, I never thought na makakapaglaro pa ako with them. So I’m really grateful to be a part of this team," Revilla shared.
"[They welcomed me] and I was given an opportunity to be a part of this team."
De Leon, the youngest among the four Lady Eagles, felt reassured to have the same support system she had in college that allowed her to blossom into a reliable middle blocker.
"Same lang din kay Ate Den na 'di ko rin akalaing makakapagsama-sama pa ulit kami. Pero kampante siya sa feeling ko kasi alam kong kahit anong mangyari, may sasalo sa akin," she bared.
"Pagtingin mo, kahit sa court, nandiyan naman si Ate Ly, si Ate Els (De Jesus) nasa likod mo lang (kasi) defender. So 'yun, napakagaan sa loob kong nandiyan lang sila, lahat ng seniors ko noon."
Revilla also pointed out that the shared history and understanding among them proved invaluable in transitioning under Creamline's system.
"It’s just so easy to integrate myself because they know me so well kaya nag-translate din siya sa laro on the floor," she said.
With De Leon and Revilla on board, the Cool Smashers aim to continue building cohesion in a bid to defend their title.