FROM exorcising its import curse in the PVL Reinforced Conference, there’s one more feat that has eluded Creamline’s dynasty — a grand slam.
The last two seasons has seen it fall ever-so short of a title treble.
In 2022, the Cool Smashers won the Open and Invitational Conferences but missed out on the Reinforced Conference where they settled for bronze behind Petro Gazz and Cignal.
READ Meneses' challenge to undermanned Creamline: 'Sino pa bang hinihintay niyo?'
The next year had Creamline primed to complete the grand slam again after ruling both editions of the All-Filipino Conference in 2023, only to fall short in a five-set title-game heartbreak to Kurashiki Ablaze in the Invitationals.
Third time’s the charm?
And again in 2024, Creamline has cleared two-thirds of the road to a grand slam as queens of the All-Filipino and Reinforced Conferences.
With Ablaze back to defend the Invitationals crown, the week-long tournament could either spell redemption or deja vu for the nine-time PVL champions.
But less than 48 hours since winning PVL title No. 9, Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses said he isn't entertaning thoughts of a grand slam.
“One game at a time talaga kasi hindi talaga madali ‘yung dadaanan namin just like nung Reinforced [Conference],” said Meneses after the Cool Smashers opened their campaign in the PVL Invitationals with a 25-13, 25-12, 25-15 win over Thai side Est Cola.
“Focus kami talaga sa training tomorrow then sa Sunday versus Kurashiki na paghahandaan namin nang mabuti.”
No championship hangover
There’s no time for Creamline to bask on the glory of its ninth PVL championship with its next title chase now underway.
For first-time conference and Finals MVP Bernadeth Pons, the Cool Smashers should have a very short memory, at least for the next few days.
“Sabi nga ni Ate MG (Michele Gumabao) kanina, kalimutan na namin ‘yung nangyari nung last kasi past conference na ‘yun, bagong conference ulit ngayon so kailangan new conference, focus kami sa bagong conference,” said Pons.
“Kung nag-champion man kami nu’ng last, tapos na ‘yun at magtatrabaho ulit kami for this.”
Kyle Negrito added: “Nandu’n din ‘yung kaunting motivation na siyempre hindi namin nakuha last Invitationals na sila ang kalaban. Sisikapin namin na lahat ng natutunan namin sa kanila last time, babaunin namin ngayon and sana magawa namin sa Sunday.”
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.
