THE UNTOUCHABLES
It has been a while since someone has gotten the best of Creamline in the PVL.
Winless Nxled wasn’t about to change that, as the defending All-Filipino Conference champion Cool Smashers rushed to the top of the standings on Tuesday after a sixth straight win, a quick 25-12, 25-21, 25-19 work of the Chameleons who never stood a chance at PhilSports Arena.
And Bernadeth Pons, the reigning Reinforced Conference MVP, revealed how the Cool Smashers continue to be the formidable crew that they are.
“It’s really about how everyone is during training, because everyone is so competitive and our mindset is that we really don’t want to lose,” Pons told the Inquirer in Filipino after leading Creamline with 13 points, all but one from attacks, the night after the team received a special citation from the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) for sweeping the season last year.
“When we are training, it’s like we are also playing because everyone is so competitive and doesn’t want the ball to touch the floor and make it hard to score,” Pons went on. “So when the game comes, we just bring it.
Unlucky Aug. 13th
“We work hard in training and we don’t get complacent when the game comes,” she said. “That’s why we get winning results.”
The last time that Creamline got the short end of the stick was back in the second round of the Reinforced Conference last year, falling at the hands of Petro Gazz in a marathon clash, 25-23, 25-19, 20-25, 23-25, 15-12, on Aug. 13.
Since then, the Cool Smashers have been hot, with their winning streak now at No. 16.
Although last season’s Grand Slam champs almost allowed the Chameleons to take it to a fourth set, Creamline, just flipped a switch and collected itself in time.
“We’re prepared for situations like that.” Pons said when asked how they averted a third set fold-up. “Those are situational things that also happen in actual games, so we train for that.”
Coaching style key
With the way they are playing, it seems that the only team that can stop Creamline are the Cool Smashers themselves.
Kyle Negrito dished out 15 excellent sets, some of which went Tots Carlos’ way as the former MVP finished with 10 points.
The players have been delivering and a laid-back approach from the coaching staff seems to be doing the trick.
“[The calm approach of the coaches] is a big help because they just allow us to figure things out on our own on the floor,” Pons said. “But when they see us not doing our jobs, they are really there to remind us of the things we need to do.
