Meeting the challenge
In the recent years, Creamline had some of the most vaunted lineups that led to it being the winningest franchise in all of PVL.
That may not be the case currently in this Reinforced Conference and coach Sherwin Meneses will be the first to admit of that challenge.
“We are also looking within our team, there are definitely different faces on the court. We are also looking how much more the team can do and what else we can improve as a team,” Meneses said as the Cool Smashers broke through the win column on his birthday Saturday night.
After PLDT, which ended its All-Filipino Conference campaign previously with a stunning win against the eventual champions, repeated against Creamline in its opener, the Cool Smashers finally got back on track to survive an opening frame setback against Farm Fresh, 24-26, 25-23, 25-21, 25-16.
The Cool Smashers are making do with what’s left in the absence of some of their brightest stars like multi awarded spikers Tots Carlos and Alyssa Valdez due to “minor injuries” and Jema Galanza, who is with Alas Pilipinas.
Creamline can easily make excuses out of those no-shows—but that is just not who the Cool Smashers are.
“Hopefully we continue getting wins and our momentum rises,” Meneses said. “There are a lot missing, but our team is still strong. We just needed to win one to maybe get the ball rolling. We will continue working hard for the next games.”
Farm Fresh could be that momentum push for Creamline. Having healthy rosters last conference, the Foxies made the Cool Smashers work for a win highlighted by a 45-minute first set before a 34-36, 25-23, 25-22, 25-15 conclusion.
Faced with a healthy and even revamped Foxies, Creamline was again forced to a similar outcome as American reinforcement Erica Staunton, Michele Gumabao and Pangs Panaga combined to make up for an obvious loss of firepower.
‘Not just one player’
“Farm Fresh is always prepared for every conference … you can’t count them out because they also have blue-chip players. I think that’s what’s happening between Creamline and Farm Fresh, but of course we won’t back down against any team,” Meneses said.
“I think everyone, when they’re up against Creamline, they’re more excited and pumped-up to face and defeat us. Even if it’s just a set, it’s a big deal for their confidence,” said Gumabao as she assumed the local leader role with 21 points to back up the young Staunton.
Gumabao often comes off the bench when Creamline is in tip-top shape. But now that she is given the responsibility to step up, she is not backing down from the challenge.
“To be ready, whatever opportunity is presented I have to take advantage of it … just really doing my job inside and really trying to contribute in any area that I can,’ Gumabao said.
“Creamline is not just one player, it’s the whole team … We all have the same program [and] training … so whenever we step into the court, we all have to perform in the same way also,” she added. “Our coaches aren’t looking for the missing players either so for ourselves, once we’re inside, we have to really take this opportunity … step up for the ones we are waiting to return.”
