Bernadeth Pons proved why she is MVP-caliber after stepping up for an undermanned Creamline Cool Smashers throughout the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
By no means was the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference an easy title run for the Creamline Cool Smashers—but Bernadeth Pons made it look effortless.
Known as MVPons since her UAAP days, an actual Most Valuable Player award has seemingly eluded the former Far Eastern University standout throughout the years.
With Creamline’s usual stars out for the conference, Pons stepped up in a big way, providing her stellar all-around performances to not only bag the conference MVP award but also the Finals MVP title.
[ALSO READ: 'MVPons' finally real as Bernadeth Pons takes home PVL Reinforced Conference MVP and Finals MVP honors]
But this Reinforced Conference title means so much more for Pons than just bringing home the individual accolades.
“Siyempre, sobrang happy kasi hindi madali 'yung conference na ito. Sobrang pahirapan din talaga bawat game pero sobrang tinrabaho namin every day sa training pa lang,” Pons said during the post-championship interview.
“Sobrang ginusto namin na makuha itong championship na ito and sobrang saya kasi first Reinforced Conference ko din ito with Creamline, so I'm so happy,” she added.
[ALSO READ: Creamline's Bernadeth Pons joins Jaja Santiago in exclusive PVL club]
Joining the Cool Smashers in the 2023 PVL Invitational Conference, Pons had to slowly work her way back after focusing on beach volleyball for the past three years.
It took a lot of hard work in training and patience for the 27-year-old outside hitter, but clearly, all of this has paid off in a big way.
“Sobrang fulfilling kasi alam ko eh kung paano ako magtrabaho every day, kung paano ako mag-extra sa sarili ko din para maging 100% ako sa team,” said Pons. “Sobrang saya na everyday nakikita ko 'yung progress ng ginagawa ko and sobrang thankful lang din talaga sa teammates ko na laging nandiyan para i-bring out 'yung best namin.”
[RELATED STORY: "MVPons?" Bernadeth Pons makes case for PVL Reinforced MVP as she takes over for undermanned Creamline]
Of course, Pons acknowledged how Creamline’s environment, whether on the court or in training, helped her improve as a player and become a legit MVP.
“Every day, lahat kami talaga sobrang pag nag-tetraining para na rin kaming naglalaro eh, kasi sobrang competitive talaga lahat,” said Pons.
“‘Yun din talaga 'yung isa sa pinakamaganda rin sa team, kasi parang macha-challenge ka rin talaga kung anong gagawin mo sa mga sitwasyon na ganito kasi competitive talaga in a very health way naman talaga,” she added.
It will be a short celebration and rest for the Cool Smashers as they will also compete in the Invitational Conference, which has already begun.