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PVL: Alyssa Valdez, Creamline embrace playoff pressure after shock loss to Choco Mucho
Alyssa Valdez and the Creamline Cool Smashers are facing the pressure head-on after a critical loss to the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the semifinals of the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Alyssa Valdez embraces pressure for Creamline. | Photo (c) PVL
For the first time, Creamline experienced defeat at the hands of sister team Choco Mucho on Tuesday night.
It couldn’t have come at a worse time, as the Cool Smashers lost to the Flying Titans, 25-13, 25-19, 21-25, 20-25, 16-18, in the semifinals of the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
In a round-robin format, even one loss can be detrimental to a team’s aspirations, placing the title hopes of the defending champions in jeopardy.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Creamline captain Alyssa Valdez and her teammates are embracing the pressure.
“We’ve always mentioned naman na pressure is such a privilege at this point in this league. Ang sarap lang sa pakiramdam na nakakaramdam ka ng pressure and gagawin lang namin, pa’no namin siya mata-translate into being composed and being able to run plays and perform well,” Valdez said, who flaunted her vintage form with 21 points laced with nine digs in the loss.
“It’s such a privilege to be part of this Final Four ’cause we can see, even this game is super close so ie-enjoy namin. I think ‘yun ‘yung one thing na gusto namin this conference. I-enjoy namin. And ‘wag kaming masyadong mag-overthink sa mga bagay-bagay.”
Creamline started the marquee clash with a strong performance, building a two-set lead only to see it vanish in a dramatic five-set collapse. Valdez hopes the team can take valuable lessons from this defeat and apply them in their next two games of these playoffs.
“I think that’s the break of the game din talaga. We can end with just two sets, and I think ‘yun ‘yung isa sa mga biggest lesson namin today. And we know naman Choco Mucho won’t go down without a fight as well. Ganda nung laban, it was really a good fight, entertaining fight actually. In the end, kinapos kami,” Valdez said.
“Dami din naming lapses most especially the basic ones. I think that’s what we’re focusing on in practice tomorrow.”
Valdez also said that Creamline did feel the absence of Tots Carlos, due to her participation in the 2024 Korean V-League (KOVO) Women’s Asian Quota Tryouts in Jeju, South Korea. However, the team had anticipated this scenario and practiced different rotations during training.
“Well, we always train as a team naman. And it’s always part of training na niro-rotate din kami lahat ni coach Sherwin [Meneses] so I guess we miss Tots definitely but we run in a system kasi,” Valdez shared.
“So kahit minsan may nawawala sa amin, mine-make sure ni coach Sherwin, talagang gagalaw kami in a certain way, dun sa system namin. We really played our hearts out today.”
Despite the heartbreaking loss, Valdez was gracious in defeat as she tipped her hat to the Flying Titans.
“Well, I guess one thing na more than the skills siguro, after that Finals appearance last conference, we’ve seen and we’ve felt also in today’s game most especially na grabe na rin ‘yung heart nila and composure nila in the game,” she said.
“So I guess overall, [they’ve] been improving mentally, physically, and as a team. So it’s gonna be a tougher and stronger Choco Mucho for sure.”
