Alyssa Valdez and the Creamline Cool Smashers look to settle some unfinished business at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
“We had a very heartbreaking experience in Ynares in 2019,” said Valdez after Creamline’s Game One win over Petro Gazz in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference on Wednesday.
Previously, the Angels completed its 2-1 reverse sweep of the Cool Smashers at the very same arena back in 2019 for the Reinforced Conference title.
Petro Gazz had an extra gear during that game, eking out a 25-15, 28-30, 25-23, 25-19 win to seal its first title.
By all accounts, Creamline losing that series would be an upset. Well, the Angels did have eventual Finals MVP Janisa Johnson back then.
Game Two of the Open Conference finale will unfold in Antipolo. Valdez and the Cool Smashers are looking to bring that heart-wrenching experience as extra motivation this coming Friday.
“So, extra motivation, inspiration going in literally and figuratively in Ynares, lalong-lalo na finals ulit. So we will take that as an inspiration talaga coming sa Friday,” shared the three-time Open Conference MVP.
“Sobrang grabe rin yung pagkatalo namin sa Reinforced Conference against Petro Gazz. But I guess we’ve learned from that as a team kasi halos kami-kami pa rin magkakasama from 2019 to 2022.”
Creamline bagged Game One in four sets, 25-16, 23-25, 25-12, 32-30, to close in on its first-ever professional league title. Valdez finished with 26 big points, including 24 attacks, to lead the Cool Smashers.
Game Two will take place on Friday at 6:00 PM.
