THAT WAS CLOSE
Creamline was in for a surprise when it stepped on the court on Thursday to face young team ZUS Coffee.
The Cool Smashers almost suffered their first loss in the PVL All-Filipino Conference and barely escaped the Thunderbelles, 25-22, 28-30, 26-24, 17-25, 15-13, at PhilSports Arena to end their schedule this year on a high note.
“It’s not something that we’re proud of also because it extended into five sets, but knowing ZUS Coffee, they really brought their A game today,” Valdez said after her best performance since her return from injury with 17 points, all but one from attacks.
“[ZUS Coffee] played so well and we’re just very happy and blessed [that] we won the game today,” Valdez added. “It was anybody’s ballgame during that fifth set, but luckily we got it so Lord, thank you so much.”
Creamline rose to 4-0 (win-loss) but not after having to work extra hard for its latest victory.
The Thunderbelles continue to prove that they are no longer the team that opponents can easily blow past. They even had a shot at notching their biggest win in franchise history.
Caught flat-footed
But Jema Galanza did her usual thing to bring the defending champion to match point and ZUS Coffee’s Mich Gamit committed an attack error to practically hand the win to their opponents.
Even the prolific Valdez recognized the surprise that the Thunderbelles had in store.
“Honestly, more than anything, I saw their grit [and how] they really won’t go down without a fight,” Valdez said. “And as a young team with some veteran players, they have a good combination in ZUS Coffee right now.”
“[They have] that attitude that even if they are one of the youngest teams, they’ll really fight for their pride and honor,” she added.
For Creamline, getting caught flat-footed by the upstart squad is an indication that there is more work to be done, despite being a powerhouse and having the most titles in the league. The Cool Smashers don’t have to look far for improvement as they committed 33 errors, including lapses in their floor coverage that, on a good day, they would have cleared seamlessly.
No lack of scoring
“One of the things that was very evident in today’s game was our pacing and errors. We have to really contain and minimize our errors,” Valdez said.
“I guess we have to make sure to double time in practice and be very detailed in practice. For sure the coaches will also address that in practice. We’ll take this win today and celebrate this win with our loved ones this holiday, and get back to work again,” the decorated hitter said.
But there was no lack of scoring on the part of Creamline, with Reinforced Conference MVP Bernadeth Pons pitching in with 17 points of her own. Galanza finished with 15 points apart from 12 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions, while Invitational MVP Michele Gumabao added 14 points behind Kyle Negrito’s 20 excellent sets.
