By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA and NIKOLE JAVIER
There will be no long break or perhaps a Boracay adventure for the weary Creamline Cool Smashers.
Coming off an impressive showing at the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Cup for Women, the Cool Smashers are expected to buckle down into serious preparation after just a two-day break as they are going to represent the country anew in the ASEAN Grand Prix from Sept. 9 to 11 in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
Team coach Sherwin Meneses said the Thailand joust will see them go up against regional powers Thailand and Vietnam. The fourth entry is Indonesia.
“Hopefully madala namin yung good exposure namin dito sa Thailand,” said Meneses following the team’s sixth place finish in the AVC Cup.
The team will have superstar Alyssa Valdez as its No. 1 cheerer.
Valdez will be joining the team but won’t be playing since she’s yet in her best form after a bout with dengue.
The PH team opens its campaign against 2019 two-leg winner Thailand on Sept. 9, followed by Vietnam on Sept. 10 and runner-up Indonesia on Sept. 11.
The team with the best record wins the title.
Meneses said they would continue to rely on team familiarity and chemistry in the tournament similar to what they showcased in the AVC Cup where they finished with three wins against four losses despite last-minute notice.
“Thank you sa mga players kasi di sila sumuko. Hopefully ma-improve natin yung highest level ng volleyball dito sa bansa at thank you na rin at nabigyan kami ng opportunity na makalaro,” Meneses said.
Team captain Jia Morado said the AVC Cup experience is something that they would treasure in future tournaments including the ASEAN Grand Prix.
“Yung mga lessons na nakuha namin, sobrang priceless talaga. Hopefully madala namin in future exposures,” she said.
