PVL: Creamline stars praises gritty ZUS Coffee after tough duel

Creamline Cool Smashers in a game against ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines —With Creamline pushed to its limits by ZUS Coffee, Alyssa Valdez and Bernadeth Pons lauded the growth of the Thunderbelles as seen in their PVL All-Filipino Conference clash on Thursday.

Valdez played her best game yet in her comeback from injury, helping Creamline withstand the hard-fighting ZUS Coffee with 17 points to escape in five sets, 25-22, 28-30, 26-24, 17-25, 15-13, and stay unbeaten at 4-0 to end the year  at Philsports Arena.

“I saw their grit. I saw that they won’t go down without a fight. As a young team with veterans, they have a good combination at  ZUS Coffee right now,” said Valdez, who hit 16 kills of her 36 attempts. “That attitude that even though they’re one of the youngest teams, they’ll fight for their pride and honor.”

READ: PVL: Creamline escapes pesky ZUS Coffee to stay unbeaten

“They brought their A game today. They played so well, we’re just very happy and blessed that we won. I was anybody’s game especially that fifth set but luckily we got it,” she added.

Valdez also praised No.1 overall pick and Alas Pilipinas middle blocker Thea Gagate, who had 15 points to ignite the balanced attack of the Thunderbelles. 

“Thea has been one of the biggest impacts in ZUS, and one of the toughest defenders sa ZUS on the other side of the net. She has no fear and you can really see how confident Thea is,” the three-time PVL MVP said.

ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in a game against Creamline Cool Smashers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –PVL PHOTO

“It’s a good sign coming into the PVL because this is the biggest league here in the Philippines so the aura is good, the confidence is there and we can’t wait to see her monster blocks and her points.”

Pons, who also stepped up with 17 points and 11 excellent receptions, said Jovelyn Gonzaga also took the Thunderbelles’ showing to a higher notch.

READ: PVL: Jovelyn Gonzaga makes immediate impact at ZUS Coffee

“It’s a big factor that they have Ate Jovs because they have a veteran leading them on the court. They also showed they wouldn’t give up easily—they really wanted to win for their team,” Pons said.

“I’m just really grateful that we still won the game despite what happened. At some point during the game, we really got complacent, so credit to ZUS for playing so well.”

Valdez is just grateful to help the Cool Smashers, who won the Grand Slam, end the year right midway through the six-month conference next year.

“I think everything has really changed—most definitely the competitiveness of everyone, it has increased and leveled up. I think that’s one of the big changes that happened. Hopefully, we carry that into next year and become more motivated to perform well because that’s the longer stretch of games, and it’s even more crucial,” she said.

Sana masustain namin, maging responsive sa accountability to be in that position, syempre kailangan namin trabahuhin, mas madaming nagbago, but definitely the competitiveness.”

Creamline returns to action on January 21 against Capital1 at the same venue in Pasig City.