Big things could be coming for Lorie Bernardo, after proving to be a spark plug off the bench for the Creamline Cool Smashers during Game 3 of the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals.
Amid the sting of defeat in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals, the Creamline Cool Smashers found a reason to smile behind Lorie Bernardo.
Stepping in for Best Middle Blocker Bea de Leon during the second set of the winner-take-all Game 3, Bernardo made the most of the moment, putting up eight points in front of more than 10,000 fans at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Bernardo earned the admiration of both her teammates and Creamline’s faithful supporters, who chanted her name after the final whistle.
As painful as the loss may be for the Cool Smashers, head coach Sherwin Meneses, believes it’s only the beginning for the athletic middle blocker.
“Alam niyo naman 'yung Creamline eh. Kung sino talaga 'yung pinapasok, 'yun talaga naman nagde-deliver sila ng maganda,” Meneses said a day after Creamline’s Game 3 defeat.
“Time lang makakapag-sabi kung talagang time na ni Lorie sa loob ng court, pero masaya ako para sa kanya kasi alam mo naman 'yung batang 'yun, talagang gold chips din talaga siya,” he added.
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The Cool Smashers mentor also praised Bernardo’s versatility, noting her ability to adapt whether playing as an opposite spiker or middle blocker.
“Actually, si Lorie naman talaga napaka-athletic na player. Puwedeng opposite, puwedeng middle,” Meneses explained. “'Yung role na binibigay namin sa kanya, talagang pinag-aaralan niya ng mabuti.”
Though Creamline fell short against Petro Gazz, Bernardo’s composure and grit on the court offered a glimpse of what’s to come for the young middle blocker, who turned pro shortly after her UAAP stint with the UP Fighting Maroons back in Season 84.
It won’t be long before Bernardo carves out an even bigger role for the Cool Smashers in future conferences.
“Sa tingin ko, marami pa talagang ibubuga si Lorie sa game, opposite or middle, kaya niya maglaro,” Meneses ended.