Kyle Negrito fit perfectly into her new role as Creamline’s starting setter in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference on Sunday night.
Negrito, who took on the role after Jia De Guzman signed with Denso Airybees in the V.League, guided the Cool Smashers to a 25-18, 25-16, 24-26, 25-21 victory over sister squad Choco Mucho at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The former Far Eastern University standout delivered 23 excellent sets along with three points as the reigning champions secured their ninth consecutive victory of the season.
“May team is very patient.
“Yun lang po talaga, as in tulad ng sinabi nila coach kanina na talagang itong magiging season na ‘to is magtutulungan talaga kami, magtatrabaho kami every game and syempre simula sa training,” said Negrito after the win.
Negrito admitted that she felt nervous before the game, but she mentioned that De Guzman took the time to prepare the team, especially her, for her departure.
“Si Ate Jia (De Guzman) naman po bago naman siya umalis, pinrepare naman din niya yung team nang maayos,” said Negrito.
“Di naman din niya kami pinabayaan na basta umalis na lang siya so ako rin po, pinrepare din ako ni Ate Jia and heading today, pero syempre good nerves ganun.”
Team captain Alyssa Valdez praised Negrito for rising to the challenge despite the pressure of replacing the eight-time PVL Best Setter.
“But I’m really just going to commend Kyle for today’s game with so much pressure. She did well. Definitely we still missed Jia. Si Jia minessage kami kanina, so we miss you Jia,” said Valdez.
