‘Pressure is a privilege,’ says Phenom
EVEN a champion team like Creamline isn’t spared from the pressure of a high-stakes single-round robin semifinals in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.
As a matter of fact, the Cool Smashers’ semis-opening defeat to sister team Choco Mucho has sent the defending champions on the cusp of missing out on the Finals for only the second time since the league turned pro in 2021.
Should opening-day winners Petro Gazz and Choco Mucho both beat their respective opponents Creamline and Chery Tiggo on Thursday, the two teams will advance to the title series and send the latter two sides to the bronze medal series.
And to avoid an early exit from championship contention, the Cool Smashers face a tall order of dealing its prelims tormentor Petro Gazz its first loss of the semifinals.
Taking it back even further, Creamline was among the bottom two teams the last time the PVL used a single-round robin format for the semis alongside Chery Tiggo that also faces the same fate.
Being the champions that they are over the last six years, Creamline captain Alyssa Valdez says it will always be a privilege to be put in a position of pressure in a highly-competitive PVL field — one that a veteran star like her continues to embrace through years and seasons past.
“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 kung paano siya mata-translate into being composed and being able to run plays and perform well,” said Valdez.
And just the thought of making it to the semifinals despite losing twice and nearly missing out on the top four is one the Phenom considers an honor for her and the Cool Smashers, enabled by their ‘play more and think less’ mentality.
“It’s such a privilege to be part of this Final Four because we can see, even this game (against Choco Mucho) is super close so ie-enjoy talaga namin. I think ‘yun ‘yung one thing na gusto namin this conference na i-enjoy namin and ‘wag kaming masyadong mag-overthink sa mga bagay-bagay,” Valdez added.
Now or never for Creamline
In the absence of Creamline’s leading scorer Tots Carlos, Valdez’ conference-high 21 points and ace spiker Jema Galanza’s 23-piece carried the scoring load in the Cool Smashers’ semis-opening five-set loss to sister team Choco Mucho.
Carlos is expected to return for Creamline following her three-day Korean V-League tryouts, in which the all-Filipina trio of her, Petro Gazz’ MJ Phillips and Chery Tiggo’s Mylene Paat was undrafted.
PHOTO BY: IVY FERRER
Without a definite timetable for the three-time PVL MVP’s on-court comeback, Valdez vowed that with their backs against the wall, the Cool Smashers will give it their all and everything more to keep the quest for an eighth league title alive.
“We always train as a team naman and it’s always part of training na niro-rotate din kami lahat ni Coach Sherwin (Meneses). We miss Tots (Carlos), definitely, but we run in a system kasi so kahit minsan may nawawala sa’min, mine-make sure ni Coach Sherwin na talagang gagalaw kami in a certain way, dun sa system namin.”
News
JEMA GALANZA, IBIBIGAY sa CREAMLINE ang 10th CHAMPIONSHIP title! ERICA,MICHELE at JEMA POSSIBLE MVP!
JEMA GALANZA, IBIBIGAY sa CREAMLINE ang 10th CHAMPIONSHIP title! ERICA,MICHELE at JEMA POSSIBLE MVP! . . . Full video: Jema Galanza takes home PVL Finals MVP in dramatic series vs Choco Mucho Jema Galanza was hailed as the Finals Most…
Grandslam & 10th Crown for Creamline! Jema-Bernadette-Erica Trio led the come-from-behind victory!
Grandslam & 10th Crown for Creamline! Jema-Bernadette-Erica Trio led the come-from-behind victory! . . . Full video: Creamline beats Cignal to complete PH volley’s first Grand Slam Creamline, takes place in PH sports history!!! THIRD time truly proved to be…
Erica Staunton thanks and appreciated PVL and Creamline fans #Ericastaunton
Erica Staunton thanks and appreciated PVL and Creamline fans #Ericastaunton . . . Full video: Creamline’s Erica Staunton in awe with PVL champs’ huge fanbase Staunton was shocked with the passionate fans of CCS WHEN it comes to fanbases in the Premier…
Creamline clinches first-ever PVL Grand Slam
Creamline clinches first-ever PVL Grand Slam . . . Full video: The Creamline Cool Smashers are the Premier Volleyball League’s first-ever Grand Slam winners after claiming the 2024 Invitational Conference championship on Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City….
The Individual Awardees at the Awarding Ceremony | 2024 PVL Invitational Conference
The Individual Awardees at the Awarding Ceremony | 2024 PVL Invitational Conference . . . Full video: PVL: Creamline’s Gumabao is Invitational Conference MVP Creamline’s Michele Gumabao thanks supporters after being named the Most Valuable Player of the 2024 PVL…
MGVP! Creamline’s Michele Gumabao is PVL Invitational MVP
Another MVP award goes to the Creamline Cool Smashers MICHELE Gumabao is the MVP of the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference. Gumabao, a three-time PVL Best Opposite Spiker awardee, emerged as the top local scorer in the week-long tournament, accumulating 59…
End of content
No more pages to load