By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
The Creamline Cool Smashers remain optimistic of their chances in the upcoming Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference starting this weekend even without their veteran setter Jia De Guzman.
“We’re missing Jia on and off the court, especially her leadership. But with the new teams and the veteran teams as well, we’re very much excited for this conference to see yung mga improvements as a team,” said Creamline skipper Alyssa Valdez.
The Cool Smashers will be playing their first tournament without the eight-time PVL Best Setter De Guzman, who had signed with the Denso Airybees in the first division of Japan’s V.League.
Valdez added the team remains intact even with the absence of De Guzman, whose shoes will be filled by Kyle Negrito.
“We’ve always been training with Kyle. She has competed and played with Jia and like us, marami din siyang natutunan from Jia,” Valdez said.
Valdez added this conference would be a big challenge for the squad, but they are ready.
“With the new teams and the veteran teams and players, we’re very much excited for this conference. We’re going to take it one step at a time,” said Valdez, whose squad eyes for a seventh title overall.
“Bilog po ang bola. It’s going to be a harder challenge and mas mataas yung stairs to the top. Hopefully, we’ll give them a good fight,” she added.
The Second All-Filipino Conference, which features a record of 12 teams including two newcomers, fires off on Sunday, Oct. 15, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Cool Smashers open their title campaign at 7 p.m. against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans.
