After joining Creamline, Bea de Leon and Bernadeth Pons quickly realized why the Cool Smashers have been successful in the PVL.
For the 17th straight time, Creamline is off to the PVL semifinals.
Their latest triumph came after a gritty four-set victory over Chery Tiggo, 20-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-22, in Game 2 of their 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference Last Eight matchup at the Ynares Center Antipolo on Saturday, March 22.
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As the Cool Smashers continued to forge their dynasty in the league, Bea de Leon and Bernadeth Pons, who joined the team much later, shared what they thought made the team successful.
Bernadeth Pons smiles during Game 2 of the Creamline Cool Smashers' quarterfinal joust with the Chery Tiggo Crossover in the 2024-25 PVL All Filipino Conference. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
For De Leon, it was all about Creamline's winning culture.
De Leon switched from Choco Mucho during the 2024 All-Filipino Conference.
“For me, ‘yung culture din po talaga,” De Leon.
“’Yung mindset po ng bawat isa from the leaders to everybody on the team. Sa coaches po, talagang there’s always more to learn, and we really try to give our best every day, kahit pagod, kahit mahirap. For me, the standout [reason that makes Creamline successful] is the winning culture,” she added.
Meanwhile, Pons, who arrived during Creamline’s second-place finish in the 2023 Invitational Conference, credited the well-established system under head coach Sherwin Meneses.
“For me, siguro ‘yung sistema talaga ni coach Sherwin. Sabi ko, iba siya compared sa mga nalaruan ko na mga teams before. Iba talaga ‘yung sistema niya and sobrang nandun na eh, intact na talaga ‘yung team,” Pons explained.
The former FEU standout also pointed out the incomparable dedication of each Creamline player to put in the work day in and day out.
“Isa pa is ‘yung work ethic talaga ng bawat isa. Kaya noong pumunta ako sa kanila, sabi ko, kaya pala lagi silang champion. Kasi iba sila magtrabaho everyday,” said Pons.
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De Leon and Pons helped Creamline achieve a historic grand slam last year, with the latter taking home the Most Valuable Player award for both the conference and the Finals of the 2024 Reinforced tourney.
They continue to prove that they are worthy additions to the team.
Against the Crossovers Saturday, De Leon earned Player of the Game honors with her 14-point performance, highlighted by five blocks.
Pons also impressed with her game-high 18 points she complemented with 15 excellent receptions for a double-double outing.
The duo, along with the rest of the Cool Smashers, will now set their sights on the round-robin Final Four which starts next Saturday, March 22.