ANTIPOLO — Creamline has only lost twice in the 15 matches it has so far played in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
The first was against PLDT on Feb. 15 in an instant 28-30, 21-25, 25-23, 25-18, 14-16 five-set classic that saw league-leading scorer Savi Davison set a career-high 34 points and 17 receptions.
READ SCENARIOS: How Akari, Petro Gazz can enter PVL Finals
It was also in that match wherein a historic 19-game Creamline win run came to a screeching halt.
Most recently, the Cool Smashers lost their single-round robin semis opener to Petro Gazz in four sets, 23-25, 22-25, 25-21, 16-25, on Saturday.
The one thing these two losses had in common? They both took place at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
“Definitely, it wasn't the happy-happy na Cool Smashers but I think everyone was taking it in, trying to leave everything that happened here in Ynares and move forward,” team captain Alyssa Valdez said.
“Very quiet, but sila coach (Sherwin Meneses) kasi, reminded us na if we stay like this, kami rin 'yung maapektuhan talaga. Siya rin 'yung nagsabi na iwan na natin dito.
“As much as we want to dwell on it, we have to move forward and focus on the next games.”
Do-or-die from here on out
While Creamline remains in the race for the top two places, losing in Antipolo again will jeopardize its bid for a fifth straight and 11th overall PVL title.
This is because twin wins from Akari and Petro Gazz on Tuesday at the Philsports Arena will eliminate the defending champions from championship contention.
Sure, the pink shirts know how to win games more than any other team in the league given how they have 10 titles to show for it.
But now that they risk an 0-2 record and potential relegation to the battle for third, winning is the only option now more than ever in their last two semis matches against Akari (Apr. 1) and sister team Choco Mucho (Apr. 3).
Being the champion team it has always been, expect Creamline to be up for a rare pair of acid tests this week.
“It's not the start that we wanted. The challenge is very big, but accepted,” Valdez admitted.
“We put ourselves in this situation, kami 'yung kailangang gumawa ng paraan kung gusto talaga namin kahit papaano ma-save 'yung season na 'to.”
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