Creamline stars Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos on the bench for the Cool Smashers’ opening game in the PVL Reinforced Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines —Creamline and PLDT are missing some of their stars to open the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday night at Philsports Arena.
PLDT star Savi Davison is unlikely to play in the midseason conference as she needs to undergo a left knee treatment, while the Cool Smashers played without Tots Carlos and Alyssa Valdez in their opener.
Creamline and its three-time MVPs have yet to bare the reasons why they joined reserve players Aleiah Torres, Rizza Mandapat, Bea Bonafe, and Dij Rodriguez, as well as Alas Pilipinas player Jema Galanza, who will be flying to Japan on Wednesday with the national team, on the bench.
SCHEDULE: 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference
Davison, meanwhile, said her knee issue is something minor–a result of wear and tear after her left ACL injury in 2017. She is expected to return in October.
“I just wanted to go and clean it up. I have a bit of loose cartilage, so, everything’s OK. Nothing major. I’ll only be out maybe three or four weeks so they’re just letting me have this conference. Just take my time and come back in October 100 percent,” the Filipino-Canada hitter.
“Just over time. Your knee kind of gives out. We jump, maybe, 100 times a day. There’s something bound to happen at one point. I’m just glad that it’s nothing major. That’s what our concern was at management, the decision. Let’s take care of this now before anything else happens. That’s our goal,” she added.
PLDT will also miss the services of Rhea Dimaculangan and Dell Palomata, while Kianna Dy’s recovery is still day-to-day.
READ: PVL: Creamline upbeat ahead of Reinforced Conference title quest
Davison remained confident of the High Speed Hitters’ chances with Russian import Elena Samoilenko, key returnees Mika Reyes and Jovie Prado as well as Kim Fajardo, Majoy Baron, Erika Santos, and libero Kath Arado.
“I’m actually really confident in them. With Elena, Mika, and Jovie, coming back, I feel like they have a solid team. I’m really glad I’m not kind of leaving them high and dry,” she said. “For me as well, I want to be able to give my 100 percent and the team knows that too as well. Right now, I feel like they’ve got a handle on it. I’m really glad for that. It’s nice to be able to take my time and kind of reset.”
“A lot of people are coming back. That’s something I mentioned towards the end of last season and I can see it in practice now. I’m really excited.”
Creamline, on the other hand, will lean on Bernadeth Pons, Michele Gumabao, and import Erica Staunton.