Bernadeth Pons and the Creamline Cool Smashers needed a win to keep their 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals hopes alive—and they did just that against the Akari Chargers.
Bernadeth Pons and the Creamline Cool Smashers refused to back down.
Determined to keep their five-peat hopes alive, the Cool Smashers delivered a statement win, sweeping the Akari Chargers, 25-18, 25-19, 25-19, in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals at the PhilSports Arena on Tuesday, April 1.
With Akari on the verge of clinching a Finals berth, Creamline knew they had to respond—and Pons led the charge with an all-around masterclass.
The former PVL MVP and Finals MVP recorded a triple-double of 17 points, 12 excellent digs, and 15 excellent receptions. For Pons, this game was about one thing: staying in control of their destiny.
“Sabi nga samin ni coach [Sherwin Meneses] na parang 90% hawak pa rin namin ‘yung destiny namin—kung makakapasok pa kami sa Finals or hahayaan nalang ba namin na malalaglag kami," Pons said during the post-game press conference.
“'Yung game ngayon, ito ‘yung magdi-dictate ng chance namin sa Finals eh. ‘Yun ‘yung extra motivation namin ngayon na ipanalo ‘yung game na ito kasi gusto namin ma-defend ‘yung crown,” she added.
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The urgency stemmed from their previous loss to the Petro Gazz Angels, a four-set stumble that put their Finals hopes in jeopardy. But instead of dwelling on the defeat, Pons and her teammates turned it into fuel.
“Actually, isa rin talaga sa motivation namin ‘yung game na ‘yun,” Pons admitted. “Alam namin sa sarili namin na hindi ganun ‘yung laro namin—mas kaya pa naming ilabas kung ano talaga ‘yung game namin.
“Extra motivation din ‘yung pagkatalo namin last game na mas igihan pa namin.”
[ALSO READ: Alyssa Valdez shifts focus on next PVL semis game after Creamline stumbles vs Petro Gazz]
With their backs against the wall, Pons delivered in every aspect of the game, whether it's scoring, defending, and receiving. But for her, this wasn’t about individual numbers. It was about trusting the system and fulfilling her role.
“Lahat naman talaga kami naka-mindset 'yan,” she said. “Nireready kami ni coach, mentally and physically, kung ano ‘yung trabaho namin sa loob.
“May kanya-kanya kaming role sa likod. Pag nasa harap kami, papalo kami. Pag nasa likod naman kami, dedepensa kami. So, ‘yun lang, ginawa ko lang din ‘yung trabaho ko and sobrang thankful lang din kasi gumana talaga lahat.”
With their Finals hopes still alive, Pons and the Cool Smashers aren’t done yet as they face their sister team, the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the final semis game day at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao on Thursday, April 3.