PVL: Pons has something up her sleeve vs former coach, Cignal

Bernadeth Pons and Michele Gumabao celebrate during a win over Petro Gazz in the PVL Reinforced Conference quarterfinals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Bernadeth Pons is looking forward to facing her college coach Shaq Delos Santos when she leads Creamline against Cignal in the PVL Reinforced Conference semifinals on Thursday at Philsports Arena.

After keeping Creamline’s semifinal streak going since joining the league in 2017, Pons will be up against the same coach who honed her skills at Far Eastern University and even with defunct Petron in the Philippine Superliga.

“Siyempre excited ako na makalaban din sila. Alam ko na kilala ako ni coach kung paano ako maglaro, pero  mas marami na akong baon ngayon,” said Pons after delivering 16 points and 12 excellent receptions in their sweep of Petro Gazz, 25-23, 25-19, 25-18, on Tuesday evening at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

READ: PVL: Creamline knocks off Petro Gazz, books semis

Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses, Bernadeth Pons, and Erica Staunton after ending Petro Gazz’s Reinforced Conference reign. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/lVGoNBw9Ev

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) August 27, 2024

True enough, Pons has a lot to show to Delos Santos as she emerged as one of the top-performing locals this midseason tournament, stepping up in the absence of MVPs Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos, and Jema Galanza.

The do-it-all outside spiker is just elated to compete against Delos Santos and even her former Petron teammates Ces Molina and Riri Meneses and fellow FEU products Gel Cayuna, Chinchin Basas, Gen Casugod, Gyzelle Sy, and Jov Fernandez. 

“Si coach Shaq naman hindi naman napuputol yung communication namin, minsan naman naguusap pa rin kami. Proud siya sa nagiging performance ko ngayon, so syempre isa rin ‘yun sa motivation ko para mas mag-perform pa lalo, lalo na sila yung makakaharap namin,” Pons said. 

READ: PVL: ‘Disappointed’ Pons bounces back to lead Creamline

Pons vows to keep the same approach in playing the remaining knockout games as Creamline hopes to end a six-year Reinforced Conference title drought.

“Do-or-do kasi ayaw talaga naming magpatalo, gusto talaga namin na makuha yung game na ‘to. Coming into this game talaga, lahat kami gusto namin ma-extend namin hanggang finals, so we’ll take it one game at a time,” said Pons, who has been conspiring with import Erica Staunton and Michele Gumabao. 

“We’re not gonna die. Gusto rin naming talaga ma-extend ‘to for Erica rin kasi sobrang nage-enjoy din talaga siya dito sa volleyball sa Philippines and of course, hindi pa tapos ‘yung laban. One day preparation lang bago mag-semis, so trabaho ulit kami bukas.”