By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
The view from the top may be familiar, but Creamline proved the journey to the summit was essential in cementing its legacy in the Premier Volleyball League.
Despite the absence of their key players, the Cool Smashers still showed depth, chemistry and character to sweep the Akari Chargers and clinch the Reinforced Conference crown on Wednesday, Sept. 4.
It was their ninth title in league history – the most by any other team – but claiming this trophy has never been sweeter as far as the Cool Smashers were concerned.
“We proved a lot of things in this conference,” said Michele Gumabao, one of the veterans who steered the squad following the absence of high-scoring players Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza and Alyssa Valdez.
“We proved na kahit wala yung ibang players namin, despite having the youngest import, we were still able to work it out as a team. Yung sistema talaga na teamwork, na hindi lang iisang tao ang gumagalaw, in-apply talaga namin each game and nakita naman yun sa result this conference,” she added.
Erica Staunton, who was in her first stint as a pro, echoed the sentiment, adding that she’d learned a lot from the squad’s emphasis on teamwork.
“I don’t think one person is only the star of the show in this team. I think everybody pulled their way through the entire conference and that’s how Creamline is a team: trusting your teammates, trusting yourself, building team chemistry,” she added.
The 23-year-old also noted they may have stumbled in their first match of the conference and barely survived the semifinals, but what was important was how to close out their campaign.
“Starting the conference with a loss wasn’t ideal, but it’s now how you started, but how you finished,” she said.
Indeed, Creamline’s title conquest overshadowed the overall efforts of Akari, which was riding on a 10-game winning streak and a pristine record, only to lose in the all-important match.
Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses said every finals stint is different, but winning this second Reinforced Conference title was special.
“Itong panalo namin ngayon mas maganda, kasi marami kaming kulang pero sa sobrang sipag ng mga players, nakuha namin,” Meneses said.
Bernadeth Pons, who won the Conference and Finals Most Valuable Player, said the key is also in their preparation.
“Training pa lang, competitive na yung mga teammates, pero in a healthy way,” she said.
“Pero nakita mo yung suporta ng lahat,” added Gumabao. “From starters, to bench, to reserves, pati na yung mga players na hindi makalaro.”
