Creamline Cool Smashers’ Erica Staunton, Kyle Negrito and Michele Gumabao after clinching the Invitationals championship. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Michele Gumabao is honored to help Creamline complete its grand slam by emerging as an MVP of the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference.
Just a week after ending a five-year title drought in the Reinforced Conference, Gumabao maintained her peak form and stepped up as the Cool Smashers’ leader in the nine-day Invitational Conference.
She emerged as the top local scorer of the tournament and fifth in the league with 59 points off 52 kills. She was also No.2 in spiking with a 37.96% success rate, fourth in serving with 0.29 aces per set with four aces.
“I’m super happy because I realized I still have more to show,” said the 32-year-old spiker after receiving her first PVL Conference MVP award.
READ: Creamline’s Michele Gumabao is PVL Invitationals MVP
Gumabao was limited to just five points in the final but Bernadeth Pons, Erica Staunton, and Jema Galanza kept Creamline afloat to overcome Cignal’s tough challenge led by MJ Perez’s 42-point explosion, 21-25, 25-17, 20-25, 26-24, 15-13, to complete the league’s first-ever grand slam and team’s 10th overall title on Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The former La Salle standout, who won three consecutive championships in the UAAP, has been part of all Creamline’s 10 championships after winning a pair of titles with the defunct Pocari Sweat in the league’s predecessor, Shakey’s V-League.
Creamline Cool Smashers’ Michele Gumabao is the PVL Invitational MVP. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The veteran hitter said she is grateful to be part of successful squads, which have strong bonds and characters as the things in common.
“I’ve been blessed to be part of amazing teams that are always ready to fight. I’m also led by coaches who give their best in training and on the court. Our love for each other shows when we step onto the court,” Gumabao said. “I think everyone can see how much we love what we do and how thankful we are to be in this position. We love playing with each other.”
READ: Creamline edges Cignal to rule Invitationals, complete PVL Grand Slam
Gumabao conspired with Reinforced Conference and Finals MVP Pons and Staunton to fill in the void left by Galanza and three-time MVP winners Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos, proving that their success is not about their stars but it’s all in their winning culture and system built by coach Sherwin Meneses.
“Coach always tells us the games won’t be easy, especially since everyone wants to beat Creamline, particularly in the finals. This season was tough with games coming in quick succession. It wasn’t just a test of skill but also of conditioning, mindset, physical strength, and emotions. It was hard, but we managed because we stuck together,” she said.
“We were down two sets to one, but we never lost faith, never gave up, and just helped each other out. Experience helps you stay calm, but you still need to work hard. The challenges we faced this season shaped the heart of Creamline and each of us.”
The star opposite spiker cherished her first MVP award and maiden grand slam success but it won’t stop her and the Cool Smashers from gunning for more.