DYNASTIES don’t last forever, and Creamline knows it.
Fresh off an 11th PVL title, the Cool Smashers have found their way back to the top, but the underlying reality is beginning to come into sharper focus.
Seven players from their champion core are already 30 years old and above, 10 fall within the 25 to 29 range, and only three are under 25 in Sheena Toring, Aleiah Torres, and Nica Celis.
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It is a group that has aged like fine wine, built on years of winning, but also one that understands time is no longer in its side.
“Truth be told, tumatanda na kami,” said now-four-time champion Bea de Leon after their Game 2 title-clincher.
“Konti na lang ‘to, kaming lahat. If you look at the core of Creamline now, mas malapit na kami sa dulo than we ever were, kaya we’re just so thankful that at this stage, at this age, we’re still able to do it and we’re able to do it together.”
‘Attitude of gratitude’
Yet if the end feels closer than ever, it is not fear that defines this group, but gratitude.
In a conference where Creamline stumbled more than usual and even flirted with elimination at times, simply making it back to the finals was never guaranteed.
And in the end, that made winning it all much more meaningful.
“Attitude of gratitude talaga na na-experience ulit namin ‘to. Kapag nakita namin ‘yung LED lights, parang thank God, we’re back here,” BDL added.
“It’s just that opportunity to be here and finally, nakuha namin ulit kasi there came points na hindi namin alam kung darating ulit kami sa finals.
“Hindi naging madali ‘yung journey namin this year, from missing the whole of 2025, naka-ilang do-or-die kami, and I’m just grateful, really, really grateful for the opportunity na kasama ko ‘yung teammates ko.”
On a personal level, the season was also a heavier burden for de Leon.
Coming off surgery and battling through inconsistent form, the multi-titled middle blocker was unsure if she could even keep up - much less, finish - in the tournament.
“It’s been a hard season. I didn’t think na after I came from surgery and things looked so grim at some point. Even midseason, I didn’t know if I was gonna catch up,” she said.
“Grateful lang ako na nagtiwala pa rin sila sa’kin kahit ano na ‘yung hitsura ko sa court. I’m just so thankful na nandito kami today at pinagkatiwalaan pa rin nila ako.”
For the Cool Smashers, every title now feels a more bittersweet, not just because of what it adds, but because of what it reminds: that dynasties don't last forever.
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