ANTIPOLO — Creamline’s ‘drive to five’ begins on a high.
Fresh off a Grand Slam, the Cool Smashers launched their five-peat bid in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference with a forceful 25-19, 25-22, 25-16 sweep of Petro Gazz on Saturday at the Ynares Center.
READ: Valdez' mere on-court presence a big boost to Creamline's title defense
It was a 15-3 run topped by three match-clinching attacks from Lorie Bernardo that sealed Creamline’s season-opening victory.
The 10-time PVL champions have now won 20 of their last 22 meeting, including 10 of their last 11 that ended in straight sets.
Limited game time off the bench marked the sought-after comeback of Creamline captain Alyssa Valdez after a four-month layoff from undisclosed knee issues.
Their ever-reliable captain had five points on four attacks and one block — three of which in the final set to cap off Creamline’s game-winning getaway.
Championship brand of volleyball
Months away from the court gave the captain not only a different view of the game but a heartfelt realization on the team Creamline has grown to be.
Seven years and ten titles later, Valdez saw the Cool Smashers' longstanding culture of brilliance on display despite a handful of key absences.
And the Grand Slam was just the cherry on top.
"Being in the sideline for the two conferences, I just saw how talented, amazing my teammates are. That’s one thing for sure, lalo na with how they want to play volleyball in such a way na nagtutulungan talaga sila," the Creamline captain said.
"Because of that as well, I realized na I just have to actually enjoy the sport again, be back, and be happier than ever. Hopefully, ‘yun din 'yung energy na maitulong ko sa kanila."
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