EVEN though this is her third straight time to play for Creamline, Thai import Kuttika Kaewpin admitted that there’s still a language barrier, although her teammates make her feel at home in the Premier Volleyball League Season 3 Reinforced Conference.
“[I’m happy to] stay in Creamline and in the Philippines,” said Kaewpin, who has been the Cool Smashers import since 2017. “[I only talk] little English but team knows how to [communicate to me].”
Kaewpin waxed hot with 27 points as Creamline turned back BanKo, 23-25, 25-12, 25-17, 25-23, for its second straight win in three games on Sunday at the Arena in San Juan City.
The Thai import fired 18 kills and nine of the team’s 13 service aces and also had a tremendous defensive effort with 15 excellent receptions and eight digs.
“I think today team’s so very good. [We] serve very good and defend very good. I think team many [of us talk well to each other],” Kuttika said.
Creamline Assistant Coach Ed Ortega said that Kaewpin’s on-point service came from her hard work in training as she had more aces than BanKo, which had eight aces.
“Good job! Actually kapag training naman nagbababad kami sa service and dapat lang,” said Ortega.
Team captain Alyssa Valdez, who scored 19 points, credited Kaewpin’s stellar play to her good communication with the team despite the few English words she can say and understand.
“Grabe ang conversion niya today. Very smart siya knowing na Ate Jem (Ferrer) was in front of her and knowing Jia, very smart, going on that play all the time lalong lalo na kung kailangan ng puntos,” Valdez said.
But for Valdez and Kaewpin, despite winning two straight games, they still need a lot of lapses to address and treat each game important in the double-round robin eliminations as they try to defend their throne.
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