BACARRA, ILOCOS NORTE – Creamline’s Alyssa Valdez pointed to the team’s errors as the main reason for the Cool Smashers’ collapse in the Game Two of Premier Volleyball League Open Conference finals on Thursday night.
According to the former league MVP, the errors prevented the team from mounting a clean run which could have helped them stop the streaking Chery Tiggo, led by none other than Jaja Santiago.
“Honestly, I would say yung mga errors din namin.
“All the little things ‘pag nagsama-sama, mas dumadami kasi. And the momentum nabe-break din kasi may mga times na okay ‘yung run namin [tapos] mag se-service error kami or may mga double, or maliliit na errors,” rued Valdez, who’s gunning for her seventh Open Conference title.
The Rebisco-backed squad is just a win away from the first-ever professional title in Philippine volleyball history. However, for some reason, the team looked nothing like it was in Game One.
Creamline surrendered a lopsided opening set before evening the game at one-all all thanks to a strong showing in the second frame. The team, though, could not get its much-needed momentum. That resulted in an 18-25, 25-17, 16-25, 21-25 loss to Chery Tiggo at the PCV Socio-Civic and Cultural Center here.
Valdez finished with a team-best 18 points off 16 attacks, a block, and an ace along with 13 excellent digs.
“I think we have to maximize also everyone inside the court, mapa-floor defense or net defense.
“So I guess if we play together tomorrow, kung ano ‘mang mangyari, we’re just gonna be happy and proud sa isa’t isa,” said Valdez.
Heading to the do-or-die Game Three against a towering Chery Tiggo squad, Valdez vows to pour everything out on the Taraflex for her beloved squad.
“Since wala nang bukas, more than one-hundred-percent pa ‘yung dadalhin namin. Buong-buo ‘yung puso namin na lalaban bukas, no matter what happens. Laging sinasabi ni coach Tai (Bundit) we have to play happy. We have to smile kasi it’s so great to be back here and it’s a blessing na makaabot kami sa ganitong tournament,” said the league’s leading scorer at 18.0 points per game.
“We’re just gonna play our hearts out.”
