While getting a one-month break right in the middle of a season could derail some teams, the Creamline Cool Smashers are glad to take a step away from the 2018 Premier Volleyball League Women’s Reinforced Conference.
The Cool Smashers have just claimed the top spot in the standings and an outright semis berth after sweeping the Iriga-Navy Oragons.
According to team captain Alyssa Valdez, the Cool Smashers have been dealing with numerous injuries – the most pressing of which is Jia Morado’s apparent shoulder injury.
The starting setter has had her right shoulder heavily-iced and taped in their most recent games. Morado then had to sit out the entire third set against Iriga-Navy, as she experienced extreme pain.
“Wala naman siyang sinabi, si Jia kasi ‘yung tipong player na pag ‘di umiiyak kaya niya yan,” Valdez shared. “Kapag umiyak na siya, alam na namin na tutulungan na namin siya we’ll play for you.
“Blessing in disguise na matagal break kasi maraming may nararamdaman sa team. It’s good for the team to recover kasi ‘di rin madali pinagdaanan namin noong first round and lahat ng teams bakbakan. ‘Yun lang leeway namin para makapag-rest, lalo na si Jia.”
Valdez, however, conceded that it is a challenge to stay sharp in a month with no competition.
“Pero hindi din namin alam kung advantage ‘yun kasi matagal nga and iba ang actual game sa practice game sa training,” the four-time V-League Most Valuable Player fretted.
“But coach Tai (Bundit) has this plan to make his team fluid pa rin pagdating ng second round. Sa end naming players, matagal ang break kailangan namin mag extra para pagdating namin buo kami.”
