Despite undergoing numerous changes in this conference alone, one thing remains constant for defending All-Filipino Conference champion Creamline: the unwavering trust of head coach Sherwin Meneses in all of his players, from the starting six up until the end of the bench.
“Well, before naman umalis si Ate Jia [De Guzman], na-mindset naman na kami,” said Cool Smashers ace Tots Carlos when asked how important their Game 1 win over Choco Mucho is, considering the circumstances they went through to start the conference.
“So yun nga, kagaya ng sinabi ni coach nung nalaman namin yun, we’re prepared going to the season na si Kyle [Negrito] talaga yung maglalaro.
She went on, “Well, before naman umalis si Ate Jia, na-mindset naman na kami. So yun nga, kagaya ng sinabi ni coach nung nalaman namin yun, we’re prepared going to the season na si Kyle [Negrito] talaga yung maglalaro.”
Entering the Second All-Filipino Conference, Creamline suffered a significant setback with the departure of Jia De Guzman (Denso Airybees) and Ced Domingo (Nakhon Ratchasima).
Both players secured their release from the team to pursue overseas dreams.
This forced the Cool Smashers to embark on their title-retention bid without two key players, each of whom won the Finals MVP awards in their last two title quests.
Fortunately for them, Meneses was able to prepare them for life after Domingo and De Guzman. And it showed when they defeated Choco Mucho 25-23, 19-25, 26-24, 25-22 in Game 1 of the Second All-Filipino Conference finals at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“Gaya ng sabi ni coach, naka-move on na kami. So we really appreciate si Coach na talagang tinutulungan niya yung buong team, and si Kyle talagang nagse-step up din,” said the three-time PVL MVP, who scored 16 points in the victory.
“Yung tiwala rin kasi ni coach yung talagang importante na, ‘Pag nataas mo, eh ‘di okay. Kapag napadala mo sa setter, ang galing mo,’ mga ganun. Nakakatawa kasi si coach na sobrang composed niya. ‘Di mo siya makikita na galit or whatever. Yung mga nakikita niyong mga gestures niya, normal lang yun,” she added.
Meneses’ unwavering faith in the Cool Smashers and his cat-like composure in pressure-packed games remain the source of strength for Creamline.
And that’s especially true in this finals series where they are navigating uncharted territory due to the loss of their two stars.
“So we really appreciate him naman talaga na kahit nasaan pa yung momentum, hindi niya kami yung tipong ‘Anong ginagawa niyo?’ ganyan. Siya mismo yung pinagmumulan namin ng composure namin, yun yung pinaka talagang grateful kami and na-appreciate namin sa kanya.”
