HELP will soon be on its way for Creamline, with two major pieces of its championship core back for the PVL All-Filipino Conference, the league's 10th anniversary season.
Jia de Guzman and Bernadeth Pons will return to the Cool Smashers after wrapping up their Alas Pilipinas duties in the Asian Games, with the All-Filipino tilt opening on October 10 at the SM Seaside Arena in Cebu.
READ: Jaja feeling blue as Creamline mission left unaccomplished
Both multi-awarded stars had to sit out Jaja Santiago-Minowa’s brief Creamline stint as part of their national team commitments, leaving de Guzman to watch from afar as her former teammate finally donned the franchise’s signature pink.
“It’s great seeing Jaja in a pink uniform. I would’ve loved to have the chance to play with her again kasi it’s been a while since we got to play together nga," the Alas Women captain said.
For de Guzman, that is precisely the value of Filipino players getting opportunities abroad and eventually bringing those lessons back to the local game.
“‘Yun ‘yung sinasabi namin na makakatulong sa local volleyball when someone gets to play outside and bring it home," she added.
“Sobrang thankful kami kasi Jaja gave us the chance to learn from her, hindi lang sa game pero pati sa training. Iba rin talaga ‘yung work ethic niya, ‘yung knowledge niya na napulot from playing international.”
She also lauded the depleted Creamline side that battled through a physically and emotionally demanding week, saying the players left everything they had on the court despite ending the Invitational with back-to-back losses.
“I’m really proud of the girls kasi lahat ng pwede nilang ibuhos sa court this whole week was very hard, very difficult and physically, emotionally taxing. Binuhos nila sa court at ‘yun lang naman mahihingi natin sa players any time.”
Once their Asian Games duties are done, however, de Guzman and Pons will be back to help Creamline regroup for another title chase.
“After the Asian Games, ‘yung duties namin to the national team, balik na kami sa Creamline,” de Guzman said.
Raring to regroup
Pons, meanwhile, said the painful finish to Creamline’s campaign should give the Cool Smashers added motivation heading into the All-Filipino Conference.
“It’s a tough loss for the team, ‘yung last game and ngayon. Nandu’n naman eh. Binigay talaga lahat pero kinulang lang talaga. Lesson pa rin siya, magandang lesson ‘to na baunin for the next conference," the 2024 Reinforced Conference MVP said.
“Ito ‘yung isa sa mga magiging fuel namin for the next conference na mas magtrabaho pa kami at pag-igihan pa namin.”
And like de Guzman, Pons made clear where she is headed after the Asian Games.
“After ng Asian Games, yes, [babalik ako sa Creamline].”
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