SOME things never change. Like, say, Creamline reaching the PVL podium for 19 straight conferences over the last eight years.
Seven-time PVL champion head coach Sherwin Meneses took pride in one thing he described as a ‘tradition’ for Creamline that has yet to let him down in his three years in charge.
READ Creamline keeps podium streak alive by beating Chery Tiggo
“Parang tradition na rin ‘yun sa’min na dati pa rin naman, kahit sino 'yung naka-lineup, sino 'yung naglalaro, nagde-deliver talaga,” said Meneses.
“Binibigay nila 'yung hundred percent nila. Makikita rin naman talaga sa training kaya madali magtiwala palagi sa mga bench players.”
For instance, in the PVL Invitational battle for third, Meneses fielded second stringer Lorie Bernardo in Set 3 against Chery Tiggo. She responded with six quick points in Creamline’s 25-15, 25-13, 25-22 sweep.
Not once did Meneses have to worry about his team’s depth and reliability, even if eight of his players including the likes of Jia de Guzman, Tots Carlos and Bea de Leon didn’t see action all-tournament long.
Still great, but not good enough
While Creamline’s consistency has been an asset, Michele Gumabao acknowledged how the team slightly fell off from the high standard it has long set for itself.
If there’s any silver lining to missing back-to-back PVL Finals, it’s the reality check Gumabao and the rest of the Cool Smashers received on how the chasing pack is catching up fast.
Or in other words, they aren’t as invincible as they once were.
“Kahit naman kami sa sarili namin, alam naman namin kulang. Ang dami naming games this season na alam namin kaya namin, na napapakawalan namin. Ang dami nang moments na dapat alam naming mature kami pero kami pa yung magkakamali so kulang pa talaga,” Gumabao said.
“It doesn’t mean na nakapag-champion kami dati, or grand slam dati, yun na yon. Ang dami pa talagang pwedeng gawin ng Creamline. Ang dami pa naming tao sa bench na di niyo pa talaga nakikita. Nandiyan si Lorie, si Ate Rhea so, ang dami pa.
“Gumagaling din naman yung ibang teams, kaya kami rin. Kaya dapat namin mag-improve pa sa nakita na ng lahat before.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
