Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Alyssa Valdez coiled her body in the air before unleashing a forceful spike that more often than not, translates to a point for her team and triggers a wild celebration from the crowd.
But that particular moment on Tuesday night was a different story with Jennifer Keddy, Bali Pure’s lengthy 6-foot-4 import, meeting Valdez midair and emphatically denying the Creamline star’s attempt.
That sequence pushed Bali Pure on the hill, 14-13, and a point away from making the finals.
Valdez, however, redeemed herself when her 15th and final point of the game came off Keddy’s fingertips, giving Creamline a 15-14 edge.
“Keddy’s leadership is also what makes Bali Pure a strong team,” praised Valdez, who also marveled at the American’s imposing presence on the floor.
“I didn’t think I was going to get blocked at that point but I really didn’t think about the score. I just wanted to get the ball back and score a kill,” Valdez recalled.
Creamline went on to topple Bali Pure in five sets with the Cool Smashers earning their first win over the Water Defenders this conference after four tries.
And it couldn’t have come at a better time with Creamline facing elimination.
The Cool Smashers forced a winner-take-all Game 3 on Thursday and the former Ateneo standout expects the Water Defenders to be at their best.
“The important thing is we just have to maintain our composure in Game 3.”