The Cool Smashers, who are undefeated and yet to drop a set, are still not yet a well-oiled machine.
The Creamline Cool Smashers are 3-0 in the 2023 PVL All-Filipino Conference. They have yet to drop a set. In nine of those sets, only two against the Petro Gazz Angels actually went past the 30-minute mark. In the Valentine's Day match against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, three Cool Smashers scored 15 points each.
But the leaders of Creamline aren't satisfied.
"We still have 'yung mga unforced error," co-captain and leading setter Jia De Guzman said after their 3-0 win against Choco Mucho. "We have to control it better. We made a lot of service errors in the first set. A lot of miscommunications in the following sets."
Creamline did commit 10 errors in the first frame, while Choco Mucho had 5 miscues. They managed to minimize it to 3 in the second set, but made 6 more in the final frame.
Unforced errors have always been a note for Creamline, something they make up for with sheer firepower.
"Sa utak namin, we just all want to keep moving," De Guzman explained. "Minsan nawawala 'yung communication kaya nagbabanggaan in an attempt to get the ball. That's something we have to improve."
A big part in the confusion is caused by the absence of captain Alyssa Valdez, who is still sidelined as she recovers from a knee injury.
"We still miss having Ate Ly inside the court," De Guzman admitted.
Tots Carlos, a three-time Best Opposite Spiker in the PVL, slid to the outside hitter role in the absence of Valdez. While Michele Gumabao, who took a break from volleyball, returned as Creamline's opposite spiker.
But it was all good for Tots... even if she ate a facial from Choco Mucho.
"Si Tots, I think nakaka-adjust na sa outside hitter [role]," coach Sherwin Meneses said. "I think minahal na niya kaya maganda ginagalaw kahit na medyo naguguluhan pa siya sa posisyon niya."
They would have to minimize those errors though when they take on the resurgent F2 Logistics Cargo Movers this Saturday, at 6:30 PM.
And De Guzman knows this will be a dogfight. The last time they faced each other in November, it went all the way to a fifth set with the Cargo Movers escaping with the win.
"Wala namang team this conference na basta-basta lang," De Guzman said. "We're still training like we're in the bottom of the pack."