With one of the most loaded lineups in the PVL Open Conference, the Reinforced Conference champions Creamline Cool Smashers were fully expected to dominate.
But after a slew of injuries, the ladies in pink were dealt a huge upset loss on opening day by the Petro Gazz Angels. Starting libero Melissa Gohing was out with a throat infection, Rose Vargas is nursing an Achilles tear, while Pau Soriano has a hand injury.
Days later, the Cool Smashers looked like a wholly different team after romping the Tacloban Fighting Warays.
Team captain Alyssa Valdez acknowledged that absorbing a loss right off the bat helped the team focus.
“Well, sobrang frusrated namin as a team talaga kasi hindi namin ine-expect na ganoon. Kasama pa ‘yung pagkatalo namin kasi we’ve been training hard for the past few months,” the four-time PVL MVP said after scorching the Fighting Warays for 20 points.
“It’s a wake up call.
“It’s an early wake up call sa amin and it’s a good thing may ganoon na panggising. We hope na talagang natuto kami. Ngayon, siyempre, nanalo kami but we were struggling sa middle ng mga sets so we really have to work on that pa,” the 25-year-old national team stalwart.
For such a star-studded team, the right mindset is important for Creamline to clinch their second title.
“Kasi sa amin as a team, hindi lang namin gustong manalo lang. Siyempre parang madaming sacrifices madami ding ginagawa ‘yun iba naming teammates and commitments,” the four-time V-League champion shared.
“As a teammate, kailangan din naming tulungan ang isa’t isa yun yung kinukuha naming inspiration para hindi masayang ‘yung mga pinaghihirapan namin.”
