PASSI — Creamline team captain Alyssa Valdez was grateful to have the team’s ‘seventh man’ lifting them through a rough patch in the Iloilo leg of the 2025 PVL On Tour.
Despite having the majority of the Ilonggo crowd behind them, the Cool Smashers began their two-day stretch on the wrong foot, absorbing their second straight loss of the tournament at the hands of ZUS Coffee last Saturday.
But despite the tough defeat, Creamline’s loyal fans still packed the venue on Sunday, clad in pink shirts and waving team banners while showing their unwavering support for the 10-time league champions.
And Valdez couldn’t be more grateful, saying the fans’ energy played a pivotal role in powering their bounce-back win over Chery Tiggo — a close four-setter that could have gone either way had the team not stayed composed following the long lull late in the fourth set.
(C) PVL Images
“It’s my first time here in Passi. It’s great na we have our seventh man here also in Iloilo,” said Valdez, the undisputed crowd favorite during the Iloilo leg, who had to do the interview inside the team bus as fans swarmed outside the arena here.
“It’s just so nice na we might have lost the last game, pero buong-buo pa rin yung suporta nila in our second game, so nakakatuwa pa din,” she added.
For her part, the 32-year-old icon made sure to put on a show, putting up 16 points and 21 excellent receptions against the Thunderbelles.
She then tallied a triple-double of 19 points on 16 attacks and three kill blocks to go along with 11 excellent digs and 15 excellent receptions in the victory against the Crossovers.
“With the help of my teammates, my coaches talaga — hopefully maging mas consistent pa kami and mas makapag-prepare pa for the upcoming games na mas crucial,” said Valdez.
Still, Valdez admitted that Creamline’s brief skid reminded the team of the importance of going back to basics and simply enjoying the game as they gear up for tougher matches ahead.
“Honestly, I think one thing na narealize namin is we just have to play and enjoy the game — and respect the game. Andaming lapses, kaya naman very specific din yung lapses namin from our first game, so mas madaling naka-adjust in today’s game.”
