Creamline head coach, Sherwin Meneses, never lost faith that Alyssa Valdez would deliver in the clutch during the Cool Smashers’ hard-fought victory over F2 Logistics in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference.
“Alyssa is Alyssa, so talagang maraming beses na niyang napapatunayan ‘yon, kaya hindi rin kami nagulat,” said Meneses shortly after the team’s crucial win over the Cargo Movers.
Valdez, who had been sidelined for seven months due to a right knee injury, flashed her old, deadly form and delivered a vintage performance that powered Creamline to a 12-25, 25-13, 23-25, 30-28, 15-7 victory at the Philsports Arena.
The former league MVP made sure to step up when her team needed her the most, firing 17 points – her personal best this conference – built on 16 attacks and a service ace, along with eight excellent digs, to help the Rebisco-backed squad overcome a gritty Cargo Movers side.
Aside from her crucial hits in the fourth frame, Valdez also set up the final play during that pivotal set, where Jema Galanza fired a searing attack that sent the game to a decider.
Meneses said that he never doubted Valdez’s capability to step up in crucial moments, despite her early struggles in the Invitationals.
“Syempre, sobrang namiss namin yun kasi matagal ring nawala si Ly [Valdez]. Sa sobrang laki ng tiwala namin sa kaniya, alam naming madedeliver niya ‘yon,” said the two-time PVL champion head coach.
Meneses, though, insisted that getting the hard-fought victory at the hands of F2 Logistics, who already led 2-1 after three sets, was a total team effort.
Galanza and Tots Carlos continued their display of consistency, delivering 20 and 19 points, respectively, while Ced Domingo snapped out of her funk and tallied 16 points, which included six blocks in the win.
Risa Sato, who only played in the final two sets of the game, also played a crucial role and came up with four markers.
“Pero syempre, tulong-tulong yung team. Team effort yung nangyari, lalo na si Risa Sato. Lagi kapag kinukuha namin siya sa bench, nagde-deliver talaga siya.”
