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PVL: Cool Smashers gift coach Sherwin a Farm Fresh win on his birthday
The Creamline Cool Smashers. Photo from PVL Media Bureau
MANILA (UPDATED) – The Creamline Cool Smashers have gifted their coach, Sherwin Meneses, a win on his birthday after they turned back Farm Fresh, 24-26, 25-23 25-21, 25-16, in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference on Saturday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The All-Filipino champions have finally entered the win column of Pool A after the four-set triumph.
Import Erica Staunton, who called on the Cool Smashers to move on and improve after setback in their first match against PLDT, led the way and registered 26 points on 23 attacks and three blocks to go along with 14 excellent receptions.
Michele Gumabao also made her presence known, excelling among locals with 21 points on 19 attacks, one block and an ace.
“Siyempre happy kasi dagdag-inspiration namin today birthday nga ni coach. 28 na siya,” Gumabao quipped. “Inspiration din namin na kailangan namin makabawi from our last game kasi andun din naman talaga, ‘yung panapos lang din.”
Meneses, who just turned 42, is pleased with the team’s bounce back win.
He also hopes that they could bank on this win to gain momentum in the import-laced tilt.
“Siyempre masaya kami kasi first victory namin. Hopefully magsunod-sunod na ‘yung panalo namin and ‘yung momentum namin tumaas,” the champion mentor said during the postgame press conference.
“Maraming nawala, pero malakas pa naman ‘yung team namin. Kailangan lang namin manalo ng una para magkasunod-sunod siguro. Tatrabahuhin namin mabuti ‘yung mga next game,” he went on.
Creamline stars Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos are still notably absent — and the reason of that are “minor injuries,” according to Meneses himself.
“May minor injury kasi eh, pero hopefully makabalik agad sila sa team namin. ‘Yun lang naman ‘yung binigay samin na update ng mga PTs namin, so minor injury lang naman. Merong timeline, pero syempre hindi basta-basta mamadaliin. Hopefully makabalik sila agad.”
One of Meneses’ wishes on his birthday is a healthy Creamline roster.
“Maging maganda ‘yung kinalabasan ng team namin. Siyempre healthy din. ‘Yung injuries, sana layuan kami,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Foxies are still blanked with a 0-2 win-loss slate.
The Shota Sato-coached squad erased a five-digit lead late in Set 1, 23-18, and took the opening chapter for themselves after an 8-1 run which was started by a Yeny Murillo crosscourt hit.
However, the Cool Smashers didn’t let that meltdown hinder their route as they took the next frames in two hours, seven minutes.
Farm Fresh import Murillo paced the losing cause with a 26-piece of her own.
The Foxies could rebound against the PLDT High Speed Hitters on Thursday, July 25, while Creamline has the chance to make it consecutive wins versus Nxled Chameleons at the same game date.
