Cool Smashers ready to pick up pieces against Flying Titans

Creamline’s Alyssa Valdez in the PVL Invitationals. –PVL PHOTO

Alyssa Valdez has taken Creamline’s first loss in more than a year in the Premier Volleyball League with a grain of salt and feels that the four-set setback two days ago is a wake-up call for her and the rest of the Cool Smashers.

“Our remaining games are very important. We have to learn, assess and reflect on this loss,” said Valdez, who will again spearhead the Cool Smashers in a blockbuster matchup with sister team Choco Mucho on Saturday at the continuation of the Invitational Conference eliminations at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

“We gave up too many errors,” Valdez added after a 21-25, 24-26, 25-14, 22-25 loss to unbeaten Cignal HD, which claimed the first of four semifinal seats on Thursday.

“In every win and every journey, it (losing) is part of it. You win some, you lose some. You just accept it and the important thing is how you come back. We’ll take it as a challenge and it’s an extra motivation for us.”

Tickets for the much-awaited 5:30 p.m. clash have been gobbled up online as early as last week, and like Creamline, Choco Mucho will also be coming off a shock loss and would need to win this one.

Choco Mucho is saddled with manpower problems, with top hitter Kat Tolentino and fellow starters Des Cheng and Cherry Nunag and back-up libero Thang Ponce failing to play against Army for various reasons. Aduke Ogunsanya has also been ruled out because of an ACL injury.

Only the top four local teams will advance to the next round where the Kobe Shinwa team from Japan and the King Whale squad from Taiwan will spice up the title chase.