Creamline would not be denied a date with history on Saturday night.
The Cool Smashers wrapped up the determined Petro Gazz Angels in two matches, completing the most dominant campaign in the history of the Premier Volleyball League and sweeping the Open Conference en route to their third championship.
And for keeping Creamline’s offense humming throughout the pressure-packed title series, battle-tested playmaker Jia Morado was adjudged the Finals Most Valuable Player. The award came moments after she hoisted the Best Setter of the Conference.
“Actually hindi ko in-expect ang parehong awards. Thankful ako, pero it was never my goal naman to get them,” bared the ex-Ateneo Lady Eagle.
Morado was nothing short of spectacular for the Cool Smashers. She orchestrated the high-octane offensive arsenal of Creamline while dissecting the defensive schemes of Petro Gazz. She ably distributed the wealth in Game One to the tune of 21 excellent sets, then churned out a 24-set, four-point outing in Game Two.
Without a doubt, Morado lived up to the billing. But if given the chance, she would rather give the plum to any one of her sisters-in-arms.
“Actually kung ako nga papapiliin, anyone in our team ‘yung Finals MVP. Ako, instrumento lang ako para makatulong sa kanila,” Morado opined.
“At the same time, thankful ako sa teammates kasi hindi ko magagawa ‘yung trabaho ko kung hindi nila ako tinulungan, kasi to win a championship is not an individual effort naman eh. It’s a team effort.”
Morado now owns three Finals MVP crowns and five Best Setter of the Conference trophies. But the hardware that matters the most for her is the title.
“‘Yung individual awards, bonus siya, but it isn’t as sweet as a championship.”
