IT was a challenge like no other for newly-minted eight-time Premier Volleyball League (PVL) champions Creamline Cool Smashers to cement their dynasty in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
From facing their first three-loss campaign in six years to almost missing out on the semifinals, there was without doubt trouble in paradise for the All-Filipino fourpeat-seeking Cool Smashers.
But when all was said and done, Creamline had just enough left in the tank to outlast Choco Mucho in the Finals for the second straight conference.
READ: Creamline outduels Choco Mucho for its eighth PVL crown
For team captain Alyssa Valdez, who’s been with Creamline since its inception in 2017, nothing makes her prouder to be a Cool Smasher than to see her team conquer every hurdle thrown their way.
In her own words, Valdez admitted that her eighth conference title with Creamline has been the ‘hardest, most challenging and unpredictable’ yet.
“Based sa standings namin, probably this was the hardest, most challenging, and unpredictable (conference) for the Creamline Cool Smashers. But I guess, this is also the (conference) that we proved to our team, to ourselves, to the coaches and the whole management that our family will stay and stick together despite everything,” Valdez said.
“Du’n nanggaling yung faith namin and ‘yung hope namin na hanggang sa dulo, kakapit kami, lalaban kami at talagang nilaban namin” she added.
And at the end of the day, even as they were clouded by doubts and uncertainties on how much time remains for the Creamline dynasty, the Cool Smashers have each other and their legion of supporters to hold onto even in the darkest days.
“One thing na na-prove sa’min ng mga challenges namin is that kami rin talaga ‘yung magtutulungan sa dulo and ‘yun ‘yung naging source ng strength namin from the first, second, third (losses) and sa semis. ‘Yung mga coaches namin, hindi rin talaga bumitaw. Sila talaga ‘yung nagbibigay ng confidence sa amin. We thank everyone,” Valdez said.
“I’ll take this opportunity to thank every single person in our team from our coaching staff, from our utility, from our physical therapists, from our conditioning coaches, assistant coaches and all the players, naka-lineup man or not. We have our values. We’re worth it. Everyone is very important in this team,” she added.
‘Where do we go from here?’
Valdez bared not only the competitive challenges of a tightly-contested conference but also the mental and psychological struggles in upholding a seven-year dynasty.
At 30 years old, the ‘Phenom’ has won it all in the college and pro ranks. And it becomes inevitable at this point for her to question how much more is left for her and the team.
Even in the face of such questions and forward-looking thoughts, Valdez and the Cool Smashers came and conquered yet again.
And it’s because they never, ever gave up.
“In today’s series, this conference, a win is a win and our losses were lessons. It was really a difficult conference for all of us probably because we’re really trying to figure out also kung nasaan kami at this point of our lives and in our careers and as a team din kung ano pa ‘yung kailangan naming i-improve.”
Valdez added: “At the end of the day, we will take this win and this win gives hope to all of us talaga na kahit nasaan kami, anuman ‘yung rank namin before coming into the semifinals, there’s hope na may chance talaga lahat ng bagay hangga’t hindi ka nag-ggive up. ‘Yun yung mantra namin this conference and most especially sa latter part of the conference.”
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