Undermanned, yes, but drive to win still makes Creamline dangerous

PHOTO: PVL IMAGES

The game is simple and repetitive for Creamline, and what differentiates the Cool Smashers from the other teams is their attitude of staying focused on the goal despite adversity.

“We need to be focused on just one end goal and that really is to play our best and win,” Michele Gumabao said with a mix of Filipino after Creamline continued heating up in the PVL Reinforced Conference with its fourth consecutive win.

Creamline has been able to pick up its game after losing a thrilling five-setter to PLDT in its first game. Since then, no team has been able to stop the Cool Smashers’ return to form even with the return of Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos remaining bleak and Jema Galanza still tied to national team responsibilities.

The Cool Smashers zoomed to their fourth straight win after handing Nxled a 25-18, 25-18, 25-20 whipping on Thursday night at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City, as Creamline now joins co-Pool A teams PLDT and Chery Tiggo and bottom-tiered Pool B squads Petro Gazz, Choco Mucho and ZUS Coffee in the next round with no thoughts of taking its foot off the gas.

“Lapses and mistakes will always happen. It’s all about our attitude of wanting to get over it and that we have to contribute,” Gumabao said. “The coaches are always there, especially in practice, to remind us to give more than our 100 percent.”

Absent stars

With those absent stars, Creamline was presented with the challenge to come up with bench to support import Erica Staunton.And it’s no surprise to see Gumabao and Bernadeth Pons, who finished with 12 and 13 points, respectively, against the Chameleons, rise to the occasion as they were handed the responsibility to lead what’s left of the eight-time champions.

“Our first six has gone through a lot of changes. We are still feeling each other out, but we trust each and everyone in the team,” Gumabao said. “So we will keep on improving each and every game and we are keeping at it.

“No matter what the result of the [previous] game is, we need to be hardworking, know our jobs and what we need to do to give our best,” she went on. “Win or lose, coach just tells us that it’s part of the game. It’s how we come back in the next games [that matters].”

PLDT also improved to a 4-1 record like Creamline, which clinched the No. 1 rank because of points after it swept the Farm Fresh Foxies in an earlier game.