Creamline Cool Smashers debut in the PVL All-Filipino Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — After years of going up against each other in the pros, Denden Lazaro-Revilla and Bea De Leon never thought they would reunite with former Ateneo teammate Alyssa Valdez in the PVL.
Nine years after their perfect UAAP Season 77 title run for the school’s second championship, Revilla and De Leon played on the same team with Valdez as Creamline overcame Akari, 25-22, 21-25, 25-22, 25-19, in the 2024 All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at Philsports Arena.
“I never thought that I would play again with them. So I’m really grateful to be a part of this team. They welcomed me and I was given an opportunity to be a part of this team,” said Revilla, who debuted as a Cool Smasher with 11 excellent receptions.
“It’s just so easy to integrate myself because they know me so well that’s why it was easier for me to translate it into the game.”
SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024
De Leon, who last played with Valdez and Ella De Jesus in Season 78 in 2016, admitted it also felt surreal to be on the same team with her longtime college teammates after spending the past five years with Creamline’s sister team Choco Mucho alongside Maddie Madayag, Deanna Wong, and Kat Tolentino.
“I never thought we’d play each other again. I feel at ease with them (my seniors) because I know no matter what happens, they have my back. When I look behind me, Ate Ly and Ate Els are there,” De Leon said after scoring five points in two sets.
Denden Revilla and Bea de Leon make their Creamline Cool Smashers debut in the PVL All-Filipino Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
De Leon and Revilla sat out in Creamline’s first win over Farm Fresh but the middle blocker-libero pair was instrumental to keep the team’s 17-game winning streak by supporting Tots Carlos’ pro career-high 31 points.
“It’s a stark contrast from the system we came from. They drill us really hard in training. Our teammates are very helpful, especially in scrimmage, drills, and the coaches, they’re very patient with us,” said the veteran libero.
De Leon added that she is enjoying the new environment and system of coach Sherwin Meneses.
“Well, from where the system I was used to before, it’s easy [to adjust]. There’s differences, but I like it. I’m able to adjust and I thank the coaches for letting us adjust to get the system,” she said.
From one crowd-favorite team to another, Revilla and De Leon promised to work hard in helping the Cool Smashers keep the All-Filipino crown now that they’re part of the family.