BACK IN THE MIX
It’s not every day that four points can push a player into the thick of volleyball conversation. Especially when the two biggest points of that total merely sparked a comeback in a closing set of what eventually wound up as a sweep.
Unless you are the much-missed Alyssa Valdez.
Playing for the first time in about four months, the wildly popular hitter sent the PVL fandom into frenzy when she suited up and chipped in her share of the work in Creamline’s 25-19, 25-22, 25-16 rout of Petro Gazz.
“[I feel] super blessed coming from an injury and it’s a really different [feeling] when you are included in the lineup,” said Valdez, who dealt with nagging knee problems during her hiatus.
Looking at her contributions from a broad view may make it seem like the former Ateneo star hardly made an impact.
But it was underneath those flashes of brilliance that meant more to the team than the sum of her points.
Valdez is back. After scoring off a block late in the first set, when she entered the game to cheers, the three-time MVP uncorked her signature cross-court kill that showed just how much game she still has.
And if she recovers her old form, there’s no telling how unstoppable the Cool Smashers can be as they go on a quest for a fifth straight All-Filipino crown.
“She may have gotten older but she’s returning to her peak,” said Jema Galanza, who led Creamline with 13 points built around 11 kills. “It’s not surprising that [Valdez] can still show [what she’s made of] because that’s what she shows in training and that’s how she really plays.”
Valdez, who missed the Reinforced and Invitational Conferences which Creamline used to round off a historic Grand Slam, sparked an 11-2 run in the third set that allowed the Cool Smashers to climb out of a twopoint hole. Bea De Leon and Jema Galanza then applied the finishing touches to give their team a 22-15 advantage.
Brooke limited
Lorie Bernardo nailed three consecutive points to finish the game in an hour and 35 minutes. “I had a difficult time [during the game],” but like coach (Sherwin Meneses) said, it’s a total team effort … You just have to perform, be yourself there, and carry yourself there.”
Reinforced Conference MVP Bernadeth Pons delivered 10 points, 13 digs and 13 excellent receptions, while De Leon nailed six blocks to finish with 10 points. Much of the post-game talk, however, featured Valdez.
“I see her now, how she’s happy that she gets to play,” Galanza said. “Her old self, it’s just [a matter of time] and she’ll be back to that form.”
Kyle Negrito dished out 10 excellent sets and scored five points, while Michele Gumabao and Pangs Panaga also had five each for the Cool Smashers for their first win.
“I just saw how talented and amazing my teammates are that’s one thing for sure,” Valdez said. “[T] hey want to play volleyball in such a way that they help each other out. No matter who is fielded, there is always that respect, that trust.”
“I think … because of that as well, I realize that I just have to actually, enjoy the sport again, be back and be happier than ever. Hopefully, that’s the energy that I can give to help the team.”
Creamline also unveiled a renewed strength in the blocking department with De Leon and Bernardo conspiring to blunt Petro Gazz’s attacks.
The Cool Smashers’ defense was particularly harsh on Angels’ top gunner Brooke Van Sickle. The Filipino-American star, who had 34 points in her team’s conference-opening win against Choco Mucho last week, was held down to 18 this time.
Creamline, which finished off a title favorite in an hour and 35 minutes, faces another stern test when it battles unbeaten Akari (2-0, win-loss) next Saturday in Candon, Ilocos Sur.
“I’m overjoyed because teamwork is what [helped us win],” Meneses said. “Everyone performed beautifully and properly. And the result was we got a win.”
Petro Gazz absorbed its first loss, following a big win over Choco Mucho last week and sliding to a 1-1 record. Reigning MVP Brooke Van Sickle led the Angels with 18 points and 11 digs.
Petro Gazz is also seeing action in Candon, hoping to bounce back when it battles Farm Fresh.
