Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses revealed that former league MVPs Tots Carlos and Alyssa Valdez will be sidelined for the time being in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference due to minor injuries.

However, the Cool Smashers hope to have their veteran wing spikers back as soon as possible by following a schedule provided by the team’s medical team.

“May minor injury kasi, pero hopefully makabalik agad sila sa team namin. Merong timeline, pero syempre hindi basta-basta mamadaliin,” Meneses said after Creamline’s 24-26, 25-23, 25-21, 25-16 bounce-back win over Farm Fresh.

Despite missing Valdez and Carlos due to injuries – along with Jema Galanza’s absence due to national team commitments – Meneses highlighted the Cool Smashers’ fighting spirit and their hunger to improve after each game.

(C) PVL Images

Creamline has been pushed to their limits so far to start the Reinforced Conference, absorbing a five-set opening day defeat to PLDT and having a rough start to their win against the Foxies on Saturdya.

“Kami rin, tinitignan namin kung ano ang maibubuga ng team, kung ano ba ang iimprove namin as a team, lalo na sa first stringers namin,” shared the former Adamson head coach.

“Buti na lang nakabawi rin kami. Magi-improve pa ang team namin; yun ang target namin, every game mag-i-improve kami.”

Meneses, who celebrated his birthday with a Creamline win over Farm Fresh as the Cool Smashers notched their first Reinforced Conference victory, could only wish for a healthy and full-strength lineup by the end of the conference.

“Sana mag-succeed ang team namin, pero number one talaga is less injuries kasi marami na kaming nabawasan. Hopefully gumaling na sila at makabalik na sila sa games,” the 42-year-old tactician said.