As confetti rained down and Petro Gazz celebrated its first All-Filipino championship in the Premier Volleyball League, Creamline stood on the opposite side, finding comfort in the fact that they had fought until the very end.
The ever-passionate Cool Smashers faithful, though visibly downcast, still showed appreciation for their team — and even for the newly crowned champions, the Angels.
Then, in a heartfelt moment of unity, Creamline fans chanted, “Lorie! Lorie! Lorie!” in support of Lorie Bernardo, the surprise spark plug of Game 3 in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals.
Bernardo, who had seen limited action throughout the tournament, made the most of her opportunity in the winner-take-all match. She entered in the third set to replace veteran Bea De Leon and went on to contribute eight crucial points.
Despite her breakout performance — alongside the usual offensive firepower from Jema Galanza and Bernadeth Pons — Creamline still fell short against Petro Gazz, losing in four sets, 21-25, 16-25, 25-23, 19-25, on Saturday before a jam-packed Philsports Arena crowd.
While many fans were pleasantly surprised by Bernardo’s impact, head coach Sherwin Meneses knew she had it in her all along.
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“Ganun naman yung Creamline — kung sino talagang pinapasok, yun talaga yung magde-deliver sila ng maganda. Siyempre, time lang makakapagsabi kung talagang time na ni Lorie sa loob ng court,” said Meneses.
“Pero masaya ako para sa kanya kasi alam mo naman yung bata na ‘yan, talagang blue chip din talaga siya. So hopefully, mag-improve pa nang mag-improve. Bata pa naman si Lorie. Malaking tulong siya sa mga next conference talaga,” added the seven-time champion tactician.
With her breakout showing under the brightest lights — watched by 10,226 fans inside the arena and millions more at home — Meneses is convinced this is just the beginning for the 24-year-old versatile weapon from the University of the Philippines.
In Game 2, which Creamline won in five sets (25-15, 16-25, 25-21, 15-25, 15-9) to extend the series, Bernardo only tallied two points. But her presence on the floor during the crucial fifth set made a significant impact.
“Actually, si Lorie naman talaga napaka-athletic na player. Pwede opposite, pwede middle. Yung role na binibigay namin sa kanya, talagang pinag-aaralan niya mabuti,” Meneses noted.
“So tingin ko, marami pa talagang ibubuga si Lorie sa game. With opposite or middle, kaya niya maglaro.”
#WATCH: ABOUT LAST NIGHT
Coach Sherwin Meneses says Creamline is ready to bounce back after their tough loss to Petro Gazz
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— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 13, 2025
