Alyssa Valdez attempts to score against Cherry Nunag and Jonah Sabete in Creamline’s Game 3 loss to PetroGazz in the gold medal series of the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference. POOL PHOTO
ANTIPOLO CITY, Philippines — Creamline’s bid for three straight championships in the Premier Volleyball League went to dust when it lost to PetroGazz in Game 3 of the Reinforced Conference championship Sunday at Ynares Center here.
The Cool Smashers were the winners of the past Reinforced Conference and also the Open Conference, but after losing in four sets to the Angels, 15-25, 30-28, 25-23, 25-19, Alyssa Valdez and company know they just have to start back up.
Valdez said that they should learn from their loss and be back stronger for the 2019 Open Conference that will start in around a month.
“We will bounce back,” said Valdez in Filipino. “Going to the next conference, I’m not saying that we’re all equal but I always say to the local players that we will all work because we all want to win.”
“I think this is the beauty of the all-Filipino conference because you can really see the talent of our fellow countrymen.”
Valdez added that PetroGazz’ foreign players spelled the difference in the title series especially with Wilma Salas and Finals MVP Janisa Johnson combining for more than 50 points in Game 3.
Salas poured in 30 points for the Angels while Johnson added 23, and those points overshadowed what Kuttika Kaewpin and Ale Blanco’s combined 23 points did for the Cool Smashers.
“We have to give it to PetroGazz because their imports played perfectly today and their locals really supported them pretty well,” said Valdez who led her team with 22 points.
“Actually it’s hard to stop PetroGazz because 50 points are from imports and that’s technically two sets. We have to give it to them. It’s hard to accept that we lost today but it’s easier for us to really give it to PetroGazz and those girls gave their hearts out for the win.”