Creamline Cool Smashers celebrate a point against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine volleyball continues to flourish as evidenced by the 17,396 fans who showed up on a weekday to watch the clash between sister teams Creamline and Choco Mucho in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After setting a Philippine volleyball record crowd of 24,459 spectators in Finals Game 2 last December at the Big Dome, the Rebisco squads continued to receive the love from their supporters with the conference-best gate attendance so far in their first meeting since Creamline claimed its seventh title at the expense of its sister team.
The Cool Smashers, led by Tots Carlos’ 21 points, asserted their mastery of the Flying Titans, 25-17, 25-22, 25-19, to remain unbeaten in their 12th meeting before an ecstatic crowd, including It’s Showtime host Vice Ganda, on Thursday evening.
Alyssa Valdez, who was part of historic attendance including the previous record of 22,848 set in 2016 in the UAAP Finals Game 3 between Ateneo and La Salle, still felt amazed despite playing in several sold-out games.
“Until now, I’m speechless to receive that kind of support from the volleyball community. And it’s just so nice always to play in front of all these people, even those who watch live on television, it feels great to give them a good game,” said Valdez in Filipino after tallying 11 points and 10 digs in their crucial game against Choco Mucho.
“To the Choco Mucho and Creamline fans, we salute all of your efforts and time just to watch and show your love.”
After losing two of their last three games, Valdez and the Cool Smashers stunned the Flying Titans to boost their semifinal bid and improve to 8-2 tying their sister team on top of the standings ahead of Petro Gazz, Chery Tiggo, and PLDT, who are tied at 7-2.
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Choco Mucho saw its four-game winning streak snapped by the team it hasn’t beaten since joining the league in 2019. But Sisi Rondina, who carried the cudgels with 17 points, remained grateful to be part of PVL’s continuous growth.
Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the PVL All-FIlipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“Sobrang overwhelmed kami. Sabi nga ni Sir Jonathan [Ng] na gano’n na talaga napamahal sa amin ‘yung fans, lalong-lalo na sa Rebisco. We’re very grateful for them kasi mas nakikilala ‘yung PVL, hindi lang kami, hindi lang din ‘yung volleyball, the PVL itself,” Rondina said.
“Nagpapasalamat kami kasi maraming bumibiyahe para lang mapanood kami. Sana mas maparami pa namin, kahit ‘yung taga-ibang bansa pumunta na rin dito,” she added with laughter.
Valdez, who is also the Spikers’ Turf president, urged sports fans to keep on supporting the whole Philippine volleyball, not only the PVL.
In the men’s volleyball club league, 2,016 fans trooped to at Philsports Arena last Sunday when international stars Bryan Bagunas of Cignal battled Marck Espejo and Criss Cross.
“We really do hope for the whole volleyball community’s continued support. Not only in women’s but also the men’s [division] is doing well, yes. Even the beach volleyball, they’ve played well also in a tournament just recently. We really do hope to continue growing together and will have a bigger family.”