FIVE championships in two years as head coach are already something to cherish for Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.

But after suffering his first opening day defeat at the helm, the undermanned Cool Smashers made amends by gifting Meneses a hard-earned, come-from-behind win over Farm Fresh on his 42nd birthday.

And if there’s anything he could ask for with a team that already has it all, it’s a birthday wish we’ve heard time and time again but means much more for Creamline this time around: good health.

PHOTO BY: SHERWIN VARDELEON

Still without champion-MVP duo Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos due to undisclosed minor injuries, the mentor hopes he’ll have his squad back at full-strength in no time.

“(Sana) maging maganda ‘yung kinalabasan ng team namin. Siyempre healthy din. ‘Yung injuries, sana layuan kami. ‘Yun ‘yung pinaka-importante,” said Meneses.

“Sana mag-succeed ‘yung team namin, pero number one talaga is less injuries kasi marami nang nabawas sa’min. Hopefully, gumaling na sila and bumalik na sila sa games.”

Shorthanded Creamline keeping it cool

Even as they’re now compelled to dig deeper than usual with their on-court rotations, the Cool Smashers’ shot-caller still believes sky’s the limit for a champion side that has already reached the highest of highs more times than any other team.

“Tinitignan namin ‘yung team namin lalo na’t iba yung mga mukha na nasa loob ngayon. Kami rin, tinitingnan namin kung ano maibubuga ng team, kung ano ba ‘yung ii-improve namin, lalo na sa first-stringers namin,” he said.

“Last game (versus PLDT), maganda naman talaga yung laro (namin). Talagang breaks of the game lang ‘yung nangyari, kaya hindi kami masyadong nalungkot. Buti na lang nakabawi rin kami. Mag-iimprove pa ‘yung team namin. ‘Yun ‘yung target namin.”

PHOTO BY: SHERWIN VARDELEON

For Michele Gumabao, who has reprised her starting role for Creamline due to fellow opposite spiker Carlos’ absence, their bounce-back win over the Foxies was motivated by the pursuit of delivering the best result possible for their birthday boy.