An ever-ready Bernadeth Pons has the undermanned Creamline Cool Smashers within another PVL title, needing just two more wins to claim the elusive Reinforced Conference championship.
In a conference where absences have significantly challenged the Creamline Cool Smashers’ lineup, Bernadeth Pons has stepped up to the plate, making her case to be not just the MVP for Creamline, but the MVP for all of the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
With superstars Jema Galanza, Tots Carlos, and Alyssa Valdez still unavailable for the team, the Cool Smashers have been turning to their bench for support.
Pons, who is no stranger to being an all-around performer, has delivered exceptionally for Creamline throughout the conference.
The former Far Eastern University standout has finished with a double-double, or even a triple-double on multiple occasions, including the Cool Smashers’ quarterfinals victory where they dethroned the Petro Gazz Angels in straight sets.
Against the now former two-time champions, Pons finished with a casual 16 points, along with 12 excellent receptions, to power the Creamline win.
Understanding that Creamline lacks its usual stars, Pons took it upon herself to lead the charge for the Cool Smashers.
“Siyempre kailangan din talaga mag-step up para sa team kasi nga ang daming wala ngayon, so masaya ako na nakikita ko 'yung progress ng pinaghirapan namin everyday,” Pons told reporters.
“Siyempre hindi pa natatapos may susunod pa na game and marami din mga lapses sa mga past games namin na kailangan naming trabahuin pa rin para mas maging pulido 'yung pasok namin sa semis,” she added.
As her stats pile up, Pons' case to win the MVP award in the PVL is nearly iron-clad. But the "MVPons" title is not her priority right now, as she focuses on helping the Cool Smashers bring a title that has eluded the team for years.
“Actually, hindi ko rin talaga siya iniisip. Basta every game talaga gusto ko na mag-contribute para sa team, ibigay ko 'yung best ko. Kung meron man, bonus nalang 'yun. Basta ang goal talaga is to help sa team every game na maka-contribute ako,” said Pons.
Going up against the Cignal HD Spikers in the semifinals, Pons will be pitted against her former coach, Shaq Delos Santos.
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The 27-year-old outside hitter bared her excitement in facing her former mentor, who she played for in FEU and with the old Petron Blaze Spikers.
“Syempre excited ako na makalaban din sila. Alam ko na kilala ako ni coach [Shaq] kung paano ako maglaro, pero syempre mas marami na akong baon ngayon,” said Pons.
“Proud siya sa nagiging performance ko ngayon, so syempre isa rin ‘yun sa motivation ko para mas mag-perform pa lalo, lalo na sila ‘yung makakaharap namin,” she added.
[Related: Bernadeth Pons resets career-high again as Creamline wins third straight game]
With another do-or-die game in store for the Cool Smashers, Pons hopes to deliver again and guide her squad to another Finals appearance.
“‘Yung mindset pa rin is it’s a do-or-die game para hindi namin makalimutan na laglagan ‘yung game. Do-or-do kasi ayaw talaga naming magpatalo,” Pons emphasized.
“Coming into this game talaga [against Petro Gazz], lahat kami gusto namin na makuha ‘tong game na ‘to para ma-extend namin hanggang Finals, so we’ll take it one game at a time,” she added.