Creamline’s Alyssa Valdez.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Times may have changed with the PVL competition reaching greater heights but Alyssa Valdez and the Creamline Cool Smashers still found a way to remain on top.
Valdez did not see a lot of action in Game 2 after playing only in three out of the five sets to end up with only a point. But she still found herself at the service line for Creamline when it scored its last two points in the deciding fifth set that led to Bea De Leon’s game-winning drop that completed the Cool Smashers’ “four-peat” bid in the All-Filipino Conference.
Their run wasn’t perfect — unlike last December’s second All-Filipino — but their setbacks made them stronger to overcome the rise of other PVL teams, catching up to the gold standard set by Creamline.
“Our losses are a lesson. It was really a difficult conference for all of us probably because we’re really trying to figure out also kung nasaan kami at this point of our lives and in our careers and as a team din kung ano pa yung kailangan naming i-improve,” said Valdez after Creamline’s 20-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22, 15-11 win in front of 23,162 fans on Sunday evening at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Creamline had its worst pro record in the elimination round, ending up at No.4 with an 8-3 record and losing the semifinals opener to Choco Mucho, which won against its sister team for the first time in 13 meetings.
READ: PVL: Creamline’s unusual road to finals ends in same title result
Alyssa Valdez and Bea De Leon after overcoming Choco Mucho in the Finals. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/N5kJKy09PO
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) May 12, 2024
But Valdez and the Cool Smashers never wavered and worked harder with their backs against the wall in the semis, winning their last four games including another Finals series sweep of the Flying Titans for their eighth overall PVL crown.
“Based sa standings namin, probably this was the hardest, most challenging, and unpredictable [conference] for the Creamline Cool Smashers,” said the three-time PVL MVP. “But I guess this is also the season that we proved to our team, to ourselves, to the coaches, and the whole management that our family will stay and stick together despite everything. Because of that, doon nanggaling yung faith namin, yung hope namin na hanggang sa dulo kakapit kami at lalaban kami with our shoe laces na pink.”
Their depth and family-like bond made the difference with each Cool Smasher embracing one’s role and thriving.
Valdez provided the leadership, Jema Galanza and Tots Carlos fueled Creamline’s firepower while Bernadeth Pons and Michele Gumabao provided the spark off the bench. Flaunting their depth, the Cool Smashers also had the likes of Pangs Panaga and Bea De Leon protecting the frontline coupled with Kyle Negrito’s brilliant playmaking and Kyla Atienza’s solid floor defense.
READ: Creamline’s depth leads to another PVL crown at expense of Choco Mucho
“Kami rin talaga yung magtutulungan sa dulo and yun yung naging source ng strength namin from the first loss, second, third, and even in the semis. Yung mga coaches namin hindi rin talaga bumitaw sila talaga yung nagbibigay ng confidence sa amin,” Valdez said.
“I’ll take this opportunity to thank every single person in our team from our coaching staff, from our utility, from our physical therapists, from our conditioning coaches, assistant coaches, and all the players, nakaline up man or not. We have our values; we’re worth it. Everyone is very important in this team.”
And for Valdez, winning the title in their most challenging conference yet brings hope to their team that they can overcome future adversities as long as they stick together.