ANTIPOLO – Bea De Leon’s blocking proved crucial in defending champion Creamline’s dominant sweep of Chery Tiggo in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals.
The former UAAP Finals MVP anchored the Cool Smashers’ net defense, recording five blocks in each game of the series. Her presence at the front line frustrated the Crossovers’ attackers while reinforcing Creamline’s defensive wall.
For De Leon, the goal was simple — fulfill her role and contribute in any way possible.
“Actually, coming to the game gusto ko lang talaga magawa yung role ko. I knew it’s gonna be hard, I wasn’t really scoring a lot, but I really, really, really made sure na makatulong ako sa team, and ma-secure namin,” she said.
The 5-foot-11 middle blocker finished with 11 points in Creamline’s commanding 25-10, 27-25, 25-21 victory over Chery Tiggo in Game 1 last Tuesday.
She then followed it up with a 14-point performance in Game 2, tallying seven attacks, five kill blocks, and two service aces to help seal a 20-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-22 win at the Ynares Center here on Saturday night.
(C) PVL Images
De Leon credited head coach Sherwin Meneses’ system for her stellar blocking, emphasizing how his guidance allowed her to execute defensively and solidify Creamline’s net presence.
“Yung blocking? ‘Di ko alam. But we have a training for that. So nasa sistema lang din po ako naka-base. Effective naman din siya, I put (my) trust to Coach Sherwin’s system, and super bonus talaga na pumupuntos siya,” she said.
“What I look for is yung tamang tapat, para matulungan yung depensa, kung ma-check ball maganda rin. Blessing na lang din ‘yung maka-score,” she added.
De Leon also highlighted that Creamline’s execution in games stems from their disciplined approach in training, once again crediting Meneses and the coaching staff.
“Yun, everyday naman kami ni-reremind ni Coach Sherwin na trabaho lang kami. Kahit mahaba, siyempre, may sistema siya so naka-pace talaga ‘yon. And everyday din talaga, binibigay niya din sa amin kung ano kailangan, and may tiwala din kami doon,” she said.
“We always really maximize and work on everything from the basics, do what we need to do, kung sino na yung kalaban namin. Systematic naman din siya, mindset lang, ayun lang din talaga.”
