CREAMLINE knows better than most that winning does not require perfection, but back-to-back losses have exposed just how costly imperfections can be at this stage of the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals race.
The 11-time champions committed 27 unforced errors in their loss to PLDT, then gave away another 27 points in their rare defeat to sister team Choco Mucho, just their second loss in 21 meetings.
READ: Choco Mucho goes from looking up at Creamline to looking them in the eye
The two setbacks dropped the Cool Smashers to 4-2, with Nxled and Farm Fresh still to come and the chase for the top two spots and their twice-to-beat advantages growing tighter.
For Jema Galanza, the recent stretch has been a reminder that, more often than not in sports, the toughest battles are fought within.
“Minsan, mental kasi ang kalaban mo sa mga ganoong errors. Minsan, gustong-gustong makapuntos, gustong-gustong mapadali ’yung laro, pero minsan, ’yung mga ganoon, mas nagko-commit ka ng errors,” she said.
Creamline's vast experience, at the same time, has taught Galanza that even the best teams go through stretches like this.
“Sa tagal na naming naglalaro, ganoon naman ang nangyayari. Talagang may magandang laro, may hindi. Kailangan mo lang talaga siyang aralin araw-araw. Kaya rin naman talaga kami nagte-training,” she said.
“Hindi kami perfect. ’Yung mga pagkakamali namin, aayusin namin every day.”
Creamline wake-up call
But make no mistake, while Galanza accepts the Cool Smashers will never play a flawless game, losses remain difficult to take.
“Siyempre, hindi siya ok in a way na natalo kami, pero wake-up call ito sa akin na may mga kailangan pa akong ayusin, may kailangan pa akong itulong sa team,” she said.
Creamline still controls its path to the semis, but there is little time left to find consistency.
They do not have to be perfect to get there, but the Cool Smashers know they can no longer afford to let their own mistakes beat them first.
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