Creamline rookie Aleiah Torres in the PVL Reinforced Conference.–PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Aleiah Torres relished her PVL debut with Creamline despite getting a baptism of fire from gritty Galeries Tower in the 2024 Reinforced Conference.
After three games, the Filipino-Canadian libero finally saw action as a Cool Smasher and got tested by the Highrisers before eking out a 27-25, 26-28, 29-27, 25-19 win in Pool A on Saturday at Philsports Arena.
“It’s been really good. I think I had lots of fun. I just wanted to bring lots of good energy and good vibes today. Just have lots of fun, and play carefree. It’s a good thing that we won today,” said Torres, who was picked by Creamline as the 12th overall and its only pick in the Rookie Draft last month.
READ: PVL: Creamline notches 3rd straight win, holds off Galeries
Torres tallied seven excellent receptions to backstop main libero Kyla Atienza, who had 18 receptions and 15 digs.
Amid the toe-to-toe duel against Galeries, Torres displayed resilience with the Cool Smashers, who were led by Erica Staunton’s 29-point explosion and Bernadeth Pons’ new career-high 26 points.
“I think for me, I just like to never give up. I think the game’s never done until the last point. I always just believe in our team and everything that we’ve trained. We always bring forth our best. I just always believe in us,” she said.
Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses was elated to see Torres and his other role players gain an opportunity to see action and be challenged by Galeries.
READ: PVL: Creamline pick Aleiah Torres ready for pressure
Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses, Aleiah Torres, and Erica Staunton on their third straight win. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/aVOubJp3wx
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) August 3, 2024
“Siyempre masaya ako sa performance niya kahit nung first set, hindi talaga siya makahawak ng bola. Pero nakikita naman namin sa training na talagang may future ‘yung si Aleiah, hinihintay lang talaga ‘yung pagkakataon, ‘yung break mapunta sa kanya,” Meneses said. “Hopefully, ‘yung first game niya na ‘to, mas marami pa. Next game, tingnan uli natin si Aleiah sa next game.”
After getting an opportunity, the 22-year-old libero remains eager to deliver and contribute to the Cool Smashers, who are currently 3-1 in Pool A with one more game remaining in the first round against Nxled on Thursday next week.
“I think it’s just a great opportunity that he’s given to [me] to be able to play on the court, trusting my abilities that I can play at this level, even just the girls, too, supporting me at every practice, and even today, they brought a lot of trust in me and support just for my first game. I really, really appreciated that,” Torres said.