Creamline May Pasabog vs Petro Gazz Angels Bashers of Creamline will surely cry on August 27 😱

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Creamline gears up for PVL playoffs amid injuries

As the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference playoffs approach, Creamline Cool Smashers head coach Sherwin Meneses remains hopeful that his injured star players will return in time for the knockout stages.

The Cool Smashers secured the third seed in the standings with a commanding 25-17, 25-15, 25-22 victory over the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles on Thursday, finishing the preliminary round with an impressive 6-2 record. Even though PLDT and Chery Tiggo also have a chance to end the round with a 6-2 record, Creamline’s superior match points ensure they remain ahead of the competition.

With the playoffs set to begin, Creamline’s potential quarterfinal opponent has narrowed down to either the Capital1 Solar Spikers or the defending champions, the Petro Gazz Angels. The Cool Smashers have faced a tough conference without two of their key players: Tots Carlos and Alyssa Valdez, both three-time league Most Valuable Players, who have been sidelined due to injuries.

“Hopefully, makabalik sila,” Meneses expressed.

However, the coach was quick to temper expectations.

“Pero hindi ko kasi masagot kasi yung medical team namin, wala pang advice,” he explained.

The upcoming playoffs promise to be a thrilling spectacle with all three rounds designed as knockout affairs. The quarterfinals will be held this Saturday and Tuesday, followed by the semifinals next Thursday, and the championship match scheduled for August 31.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Carlos and Valdez, Meneses emphasized that Creamline is prepared to compete with or without them. The team has relied heavily on the contributions of American import Erica Staunton, as well as local stalwarts Bernadeth Pons and Michele Gumabao, to fill the void left by the injured players.

Adding another layer of complexity to their playoff preparation, Jema Galanza is also unavailable as she is currently committed to playing with Alas Pilipinas, keeping her sidelined until the Invitational Conference.

“Ready naman kami kung hindi sila makabalik, or makabalik sila. Ready naman yung team, especially yung mga bench players nagco-contribute naman talaga nang husto. Hopefully, kung makabalik anytime, kung hindi makabalik, ready,” Meneses reiterated.

The depth of Creamline’s bench was on full display in their latest match against the Thunderbelles. Lorie Bernardo stepped up in Gumabao’s usual opposite position and made a significant impact, scoring eight points in just two sets.

The Cool Smashers’ strength lies in the chemistry they’ve built through years of playing together, which now becomes crucial as they face the high-stakes playoffs with a depleted roster.

“Nung nag-start yung conference talagang tinignan namin yung mga situation na mangyayari kahit na iba iba yung nasa first six namin, pero ngayon, siguro nakakaeight games na kami, ang masasabi ko talaga na nakukuha na namin yung advantage ng chemistry namin sa loob ng game,” said Meneses.

With the pressure mounting, Meneses knows that maintaining focus will be key.

“Maging maganda pa sana sa quarterfinals kasi syempre knockout game, kailangan mas focused kami dun sa ginagawa namin,” he added.

As the Cool Smashers head into the playoffs, their resilience, depth, and team chemistry will be tested. With or without their injured stars, they are determined to rise to the occasion and make a strong push for the PVL title.