Alyssa Valdez on the sidelines for the Creamline Cool Smashers in the PVL Reinforced Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines —Creamline stars Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos missed the first two games of the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference due to “minor injuries” but there is no concrete timeline for their return.
Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses said that the team is not rushing the return of the hard-hitting pair.
“There is a minor injury, but hopefully, they can return to our team soon. That’s the update we received from our physical therapists, so it’s just a minor injury,” Meneses said after Creamline entered the win column with a 24-26, 25-23, 25-21, 25-16 triumph over Farm Fresh on Saturday at Philsports Arena.
“There is a timeline, but of course, we won’t rush it. Hopefully, they can come back soon,” said the Creamline coach.
The Cool Smashers bounced back from a tough five-set loss to PLDT last Tuesday. Erica Staunton and Michele Gumabao poured in 26 and 21 points, respectively, to lift their team from a first-set loss before sweeping the next four frames to improve to 1-1 in Pool A.
Staunton, who unleashed 23 kills and three blocks including 14 digs, is grateful to Gumabao for guiding her inside the court and even to team captain Valdez for sharing her insights outside the court.
“Even Alyssa came to me and gave me some offensive, defensive tips. So it’s really a team conversation and them even helping me out,. I’m new here, this is my first international experience, and I just wanna make sure that I’m looking to our veterans and getting their advice, seeing what they see even if they’re on the sideline, injured, they have a great set of eyes they have a lot of wisdom there,” said the young American import.
“I want to make sure that I’m listening to them and learning from them and any kind of feedback that they have from me, taking that, and just trying to improve my game and play smart.”
Creamline also missed the services of Jema Galanza and Jia De Guzman, who are with Alas Pilipinas for a two-week Japan training camp in preparation for the SEA V League next month.
Meneses received a win as a gift on his 42nd birthday but his wish is to have a healthy and successful Reinforced Conference, where they will try to end a six-year title drought in the import-laden competition.
“Hopefully, our team will have good results and stay healthy. I hope we avoid injuries because that’s the most important thing. We’ve already lost several players to injuries. Hopefully, they recover soon and return to the games,” Meneses said.
Creamline eyes its second win in Pool A against Nxled on Thursday.