Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Creamline’s vaunted squad is one loss away from a semifinals exit in the premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference, but don’t expect its ailing superstar to just go down quietly into the night.
Alyssa Valdez is still nursing a bum right ankle she suffered during the eliminations and after the Cool Smashers fell at the hands of defending champion Pocari Sweat-Air Force in the semis, she knows taking a breather is not an option.
“I can fight through this,” said Valdez in Filipino after the Cool Smashers lost, 25-23, 25-12, 25-23, Sunday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Valdez, along with two-time UAAP Best Blocker Michele Gumabao, one-time UAAP Best Setter Jia Morado, and imports Kuttika Kaewpin and the returning Laura Schaudt, hope to force a deciding game on Wednesday in Game 2.
“If you really want to fight for your teammates and the Creamline Cool Smashers you’re really going to give your best,” said Valdez, who had 16 points in the loss. “Everyone’s presence is important.”
“I guess volleyball is like this, you can’t say who’s going to win and it will come down to who wants it more and Air Force really wanted to win today.”