PVL: Alyssa Valdez reveals Creamline’s advantage in title-retention drive
The Creamline Cool Smashers are digging deep in hopes of staying in tip-top shape for the long 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
-4.jpg?auto=compress)
With a wide arsenal at his disposal, head coach Sherwin Meneses shuffled his deck in their past three outings, showcasing the depth of his lineup.
This was most evident in Creamline’s straight-set rout of the Galeries Tower Highrisers on Thursday.
There, 14 Cool Smashers saw action, pitching in varying contributions in the winning cause. Most of the starters nly played in the early goings, before taking a backseat for the second stringers to shine.
The seldom-used players who seized the moment were middle blocker Lorie Bernardo and setter Bea Bonafe, as the two proved instrumental in closing out the bout.
Scoring was so well-distributed that all listed players for Creamline in the match–sans the liberos–were able to create points. Michele Gumabao was the highest scorer for the squad with 10 points.
“Ngayon naman, sabi namin mag-perform ng maganda. I-ready ‘yung sarili nila kung sino ‘yung nasa loob. So, masaya kami kasi lahat naman nag perform talaga ng maganda,” Meneses said.
The deep rotation scheme bodes well for Creamline’s title defense in the long run.
After all, the usual starters get to manage the load and lessen the risk of injury, while also providing the second unit the opportunity to gain confidence and grow in game situations.
“That’s one of the advantages also kasi, ‘yun, as you’ve said napakahaba ng conference,” Creamline captain Alyssa Valdez said.
“Most especially laging biruan lang din naman sa team namin, but definitely isa kami sa mga teams na matatagal na dito sa PVL and isa kami sa mga teams na mas madami din talagang veterans so we take that as an advantage for us,” she added.
While Creamline has flaunted nothing but its winning ways so far, there is always a room for improvement for Valdez and her team.
“Every game din, talagang madami nakikita na kailangan pa i-correct sa amin. So, we have to accept it and take it na ganito yung nilalaro namin and eventually, hopefully mas tumaas and mas mag-improve pa kami every single game,” the decorated outside hitter said.
Creamline will next take on the Strong Group Athletics on Tuesday, March 12 at the PhilSports Arena.
Full video:
