CREAMLINE kept its chin up despite absorbing a four-set loss to Akari on Thursday that snapped its five-game winning streak in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Inside the Cool Smashers’ camp, however, the setback was far from alarming.
The 10-time champions acknowledged that Akari simply proved to be the better side on the night, handing Creamline its second straight loss to the Chargers since the preliminaries of the 2025 Reinforced Conference last October.
READ: Akari takes fourth straight win, snaps Creamline's run at five
“It was really a good, good challenge coming into this game. We know na we had consecutive games nga na nanalo kami and we were given such a huge challenge [with Akari],” Valdez told SPIN.ph.
“Unfortunately, nag-fail kami to overcome it.”
For a veteran-laden squad like Creamline, Valdez said there is little reason to panic, especially with the team still in the elimination round and firmly in the mix for a qualifying-round berth.
“The good thing is nasa elims pa lang din naman, and we have more chances of hopefully, hopefully, getting into the semis,” she said.
“‘Yun ‘yung pinanghahawakan namin. Nakita namin na ang dami pa naming kailangan ayusin sa team, and that's a good sign na ngayon namin siya makita. We're looking forward na mas maayos siya in the next few weeks.”
Valdez also declined to elaborate on what appeared to be a minor issue with Bernadeth Pons, who saw limited action and opened the door for the Creamline captain to log extended minutes in the first two sets.
Still, Valdez emphasized that whoever gets the nod will always be ready to step in for the team.
“We were always prepared and ready to step up kung ano ‘yung kailangan ng team,” she said. “After tonight, makapag-recover well ‘yung team para mas malakas and healthy kami kung natin sa mga ibang games.”
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