The Cool Smashers haven't dropped a set just yet.
When every other PVL team looked to make a move in the offseason, the Creamline Cool Smashers chose to stay put.
We know why.
They didn’t need to make a move—not even one.
The Cool Smashers showed yet again they are a cut above the rest, dominating the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in straight sets, 25-18, 25-13, 25-14, in front of a jam-packed Valentine’s Day crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday night.
The defending champions were simply levels above the Flying Titans, outplaying their Rebisco siblings pretty much the entire game to turn this much-anticipated matchup into a laugher. Leading the way for Creamline once again were Michele Gumabao and Jema Galanza, who starred in each of the Cool Smashers’ first two wins. But, as has been the case with this team time and time again, the talent up and down the roster was just too much.
In short, the Cool Smashers were simply too good for the Flying Titans—and maybe even for the entire league.
That might be true sooner or later, with Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses fully expecting his already impressive team to improve even more as the season progresses.
“Sana magtuloy-tuloy yung improving [sic]. Maganda yung service-receive namin, and I think mag-i-improve pa naman,” bared Meneses post-game. “Pero satisfied naman sa game ngayon. Mahaba pa naman yung conference, yan yung ime-maintain namin.”
The scary thing for the rest of the field is that the Cool Smashers, who haven’t dropped a set this conference just yet, is still without arguably the best player in all of the PVL in Alyssa Valdez. And that’s a testament to Creamline’s undeniable talent, and of everyone else stepping up in Valdez’s absence.
“Nagsipag lang kami kasi si Ly [Valdez] hindi pa makakalaro. Alam niyo naman gaano kalaking kawalan si Alyssa,” Meneses reminded the press. “Nag-step up lang talaga yung mga players. Kahit hindi pa makalaro si Alyssa, maganda yung laro nila, especially MG [Gumabao].”
Yes, the Cool Smashers are super good already, and they have their leader still in the wings ready to push them a level higher.
So, no, Creamline didn't make moves this offseason. It appears it didn't have to.