Creamline skipper Alyssa Valdez recounted that a deafening silence enveloped the Cool Smashers’ dugout moments after their deflating Game Two defeat at the hands of Petro Gazz, Saturday evening.
It might have been the missed opportunity of closing out the championship series in two games or just the disappointment of losing against a tough foe like the Angels, but either way, Creamline head coach Tai Bundit made sure to negate the dreary atmosphere.
“Everyone’s so quiet, very sad but coach Tai was able to turn that mood into something different,” recalled Valdez, who finished with 17 points, 12 excellent digs, and 10 excellent receptions.
“He won’t let this loss na maka-affect sa amin lalong lalo na tomorrow na ‘yung game.”
But more than just warding off the dreariness, what Bundit did was more of a catalyst – one that rekindled the fire in his players after a shock defeat.
“Kahit alam naming tahimik, sad. Alam ko sa bawat isip ng teammates ko iisa lang yung goal bukas,” confided the 26-year-old Valdez.
Reminded of the daunting yet fulfilling task at hand, the downcast atmosphere turned into excitement.
Furthermore, this will be the first time that Creamline will figure in a winner-take-all Game Three in a championship series. In their last two title conquests, the Cool Smashers swept the title series against Paymaya and Ateneo-Motolite in the Reinforced and Open conferences, respectively.
Despite being in unfamiliar territory, the six-time PVL Most Valuable Player cannot help but be thrilled for Game Three.
“Ako nae-excite din ako tomorrow kasi for the longest time, eto lang yung series na naka-extend din,” the product of Ateneo bared.
“Yung fire and desire and passion mo sa pagiging athlete mo, parang maglalaro ka lang talaga to show also kung ano yung mga capability mo at makatulong sa team.”
Regardless of the outcome in Game Three, Valdez assured that the Cool Smashers will give it their all.
“Kahit anong mangyari, pagkabinigay namin ang buong, buong, buong, buong o kung ano pa yung pinakabuo, masaya kami kung ano kalalabasan ng game.”
