Creamline Cool Smashers’ Alyssa Valdez celebrates with her team after winning the PVL Reinforced Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Sidelined due to an injury, Alyssa Valdez remained a proud Creamline Cool Smasher after her teammates completed the elusive grand slam with a pair of PVL titles in just two weeks.
Valdez was out for the the whole Reinforced and Invitational Conferences with fellow three-time MVP winner Tots Carlos but the Cool Smashers proved that their winning tradition is not about their stars but about chemistry and system built by coach Sherwin Meneses.
“It’s really the system of coach Sherwin, the team, the players, everyone in the Cool Smashers. They really respect the system, each and everyone, from the management down to the utility and everyone, ‘yun din talaga ‘yung nag-wowork. It’s really the culture in our team that’s why kahit sino talagang mag-sstep up,” Valdez told a group of reporters after Creamline’s 21-25, 25-17, 20-25, 26-24, 15-13win over Cignal on Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
READ: Creamline edges Cignal to rule Invitationals, complete PVL Grand Slam
The Creamline captain was thrilled to witness Bernadeth Pons, Michele Gumabao, and Kyle Negrito emerge as MVPs and Erica Staunton thrive on her first pro stint to fill in the void left by her and Carlos as well as Alas Pilipinas star Jema Galanza, who was only able to return in their last two games.
“It was a very emotional championship just because ang bilis ng mga pangyayari. No one really thought na after a championship, tuloy-tuloy din agad talaga and then we’re gonna get another championship,” Valdez said.
“Deserve talaga ng lahat ng girls ‘yung mga awards nila and the championship because they really worked hard for all of this,” she added.
LIVE UPDATES: PVL Invitationals Final–Creamline vs Cignal
The Cool Smashers continued to be the league’s gold standard as they already overcome several challenges, including the rise of other teams, a depleted line-up, and even a grueling schedule, and starting a new conference just two days after ruling the previous one.
With 10 titles, Creamline remained hungry for more asit braces for a longer All-Filipino Conference from November to May, where Valdez hopes to rejoin her team and continue their winning tradition.
“Hopefully, yes,” said Valdez when asked about her availability next conference.