Creamline’s Michele Gumabao at the PVL Reinforced Conference.–PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Creamline may be fielding a different starting six as it continues to miss the troika of Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos, and Jema Galanza but its winning tradition is still in full display, winning four straight games to top Pool A in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.

The Cool Smashers continued to bank on the trio of Michele Gumabao, Bernadeth Pons, and American import Erica Staunton to extend its hot start with a 25-18, 25-18, 25-20 win over Nxled on Thursday at Philsports Arena.

Gumabao, who had 12 points, said the culture and equal opportunities for every player have prepared their new starters to step up for injured three-time MVPs Valdez and Carlos as well as Galanza, who is with Alas Pilipinas in Thailand for the SEA VLeague.

“Kapaan pa talaga pero nandun naman ‘yung tiwala para sa bawat isa sa team. Kahit naman sinong ipasok even from our bench, like ‘yung pinakita kanina ng iba naming teammates is kailangan ready lang talaga kami,” said Gumabao. “Keep on improving lang kami each and every game. Tinatiyaga naman talaga namin, uumpisahan namin sa practice.”

The veteran opposite spiker believes Creamline’s perseverance and discipline have averted their losing campaign opener to PLDT and won four in a row to book a seat in Pool C, facing Choco Mucho, Petro Gazz, and ZUS Coffee next round.

“We start in practice na kahit anong results ng game, kailangan kami hard working, kailangan alam namin ‘yung trabaho namin, ‘yung kailangan naming gawin and do our best. Siguro ‘yung tiwala na lang din namin,” said Gumabao. “As a family talaga kami naglalaro lagi We’re thankful. Hindi lahat nabibigyan ng opportunity makalaro dito sa pro,  so we take advantage every chance we get.”

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“It’s really how we overcome and kung paano talaga namin iseset yung minds namin na pinaghahandaan talaga kami ng lahat ng teams, lahat sila talagang they’re playing their best lalo na kapag katapat kami so kailangan doblehin talaga namin ‘yung effort namin every game,” she added.

Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses is likely to use the same set of starters as the availability of Carlos and Valdez is still up in the air.

Gumabao vows to keep on stepping up for the Cool Smashers, who are hoping to end a six-year Reinforced Conference title drought.

“Kailangan din talaga ‘yung end goal namin na one goal kaming lahat and that really is to play our best and win. Siguro ‘yung mga lapses and mistakes namin talagang nangyayari ‘yan, it’s all about our attitude na kailangan naming makabawi and we have to contribute and it really starts in practice,” she said.