Despite boasting a flawless 4-0 record, Creamline still has a lot of adjustments to make with a challenging stretch looming in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference.
The Cool Smashers faced an inspired Farm Fresh squad and encountered some difficulties before ultimately clinching victory in four sets, with scores of 25-21, 21-25, 25-20, and 25-22, on Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
In addition to the spectacular performances of the Foxies trio, Trisha Tubu, Kate Santiago, and Pia Ildefonso, the Cool Smashers also contributed to their opponent’s success by committing 30 errors.
“Dapat talaga bawasan namin mga errors namin kasi pagdating sa mga importanteng games, ‘di namin dapat gawin yun,” said Jema Galanza after the game.
“Madami pang kailangan i-polish sa training, at hindi dapat kami mag-relax, lalo na sa mga susunod naming laban na talagang mahirap,” she added as they defeated the winless Farm Fresh.
Up next for Creamline are three games against title contenders, starting with fellow undefeated team Petro Gazz on November 9. They will then face F2 Logistics on Nov. 14 before concluding this challenging stretch against PLDT on Nov. 18 in Cagayan de Oro.
Galanza, however, felt relieved that this lesson happened during their victory against the Foxies, as it will help them be more composed and well-rounded for their upcoming matches.
“Actually, maganda siyang game para sa mga susunod naming laro… naranasan namin yung ganoong klase ng laro na talagang dikdikan, kaya naramdaman namin kung paano lalaruin ang mga ganoong klaseng laro,” said Galanza, who tallied 18 points and 10 digs.
Michele Gumabao, who led Creamline with 20 points, stated that they need to be more cautious since they always have a target on their backs as the defending champions. In total, the Cool Smashers have already secured six titles in the PVL.
“Pagdating talaga sa game, magtatrabaho talaga lahat ng mga kalaban namin, at kung may isang koponan na gustong talunin kami, syempre it’s really Creamline,” said Gumabao.
“Yung score didikit at didikit talaga yan basta gusto ng kalaban, kaya ang aming trabaho lang talaga ay ang maka-score ng bawat punto, at ma-execute nang maayos, lalo na sa endgame na.”
