BACARRA, ILOCOS NORTE — It’s been almost two years since volleyball was put to a stop due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
And now that the sport finally made its return through the Premier Volleyball League, one main component is definitely missing from the games — its devoted fans.
The absence of the audience was indeed glaring according to Creamline star and fan-favorite Alyssa Valdez.
“It’s so much different. Alam mo naman isa sa pinagkukuhanan namin ng inspirasyon yung mga fans also,” said Valdez moments after Creamline’s four-set drubbing of Sta. Lucia in the PVL Open Conference opening day, Saturday.
“Pag nakikita namin yung crowd iba rin talaga yung motivation na binibigay nila so very unusual.”
The silence inside the PCV Socio-Civic Cultural Center here was indeed defeaning.
So, in order to survive, the Cool Smashers made sure to become their very own fans just to fill the void inside the arena.
They also guaranteed that the energy inside the court is always at a high.
“Naririnig naman namin yung mga teammates namin and we feel like virtually nanonood din yung mga sumusuporta ng volleyball.
“So yun na lang yung iniisip namin kaya yung energy talaga sa loob at labas kailangan talaga intact kasi yun yung kailangan namin para masurvive yung isang match,” explained Valdez.
And that energy proved to be the difference-maker for Creamline as it translated to a 25-18, 25-21, 25-27, 25-18, victory over a Sta. Lucia side which seemed lethargic in its debut.
Valdez pounced on that energy and uncorked 20 points built on 17 attacks and three rejections.
The Cool Smashers will look to sustain its form against Petro Gazz at 4:00 PM on Tuesday.
