GAME Two of the 2023 PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals between Creamline and Choco Mucho set a new all-time attendance record for volleyball in the country at 24,459.
READ: Creamline repulses Choco Mucho in 5 sets for third PVL sweep in four years
The seven-year-old record was previously held by Ateneo and La Salle's winner-take-all title match in the UAAP Season 78 women's volleyball finals — one which saw former Queen Eagle-now-Cool Smashers captain Alyssa Valdez leave the collegiate stage in defeat.
From a seven-year wait which eventually saw the coronation of the PVL's seven-time champs, here's what the players and coaches from the finalist sister clubs had to say on being part of a one-of-a-kind milestone.
ALYSSA VALDEZ (Creamline)
After winning her very first championship in either college or pro volleyball at the Big Dome, Valdez was filled with gratitude and joy to see such a turnout of fans with hopes of continuously treading an upward trail for the future of the sport.
"I’d say I’m very very grateful na nabibigyan ako ng opportunity palagi na makabalik dito sa Araneta, and makabalik palagi rin sa finals with this team. Siguro, ibang-iba 'yung experience ko nu'ng 2016 kasi sa college, medyo bata-bata pa tayo nu'ng mga panahong 'yun and it was a heartbreaking loss, definitely, isa sa mga hindi ko makakalimutan but napalitan na rin ng isang sweet na memory," Valdez said.
"One of the sweetest memories that I have right now is this win in Araneta Coliseum so maraming maraming salamat nakabalik po at mas madami pang nanood, 'di ba? Di natin ineexpect na mas lalaki, mas dadami yung susuporta sa Philippine volleyball.
"With that, we say, Merry Christmas to everyone and sana mas marami pa tayong historic moments na magawa and sana sa pagpatuloy na paglaki ng crowd ng support, ganoon din yung pag-grow ng sport of volleyball dito sa Philippines so maraming salamat," she added.
TOTS CARLOS (Creamline)
For three-time PVL Finals MVP Tots Carlos, the growth of the sport and its fanbase as reflected by the record-breaking championship crowd offers a priceless and indescribable feeling.
"Siyempre masaya din kami and ako personally na 'yung volleyball, naggo-grow sa Pilipinas and masaya kami na sinusuportahan kami ng mga tao (...) at 'yun nga, dalawang [Rebisco] teams finally naglaban na sa finals," Carlos said.
Carlos added: "'Yun din 'yung sabi ni ate Ly (Valdez) na sobrang sarap maglaro sa ganung sitwasyon kasi ang daming crowd, ang daming sumusuporta. 'Di na namin marinig yung isa't isa pero 'yun, 'yun din 'yung mga hindi rin natin mapapalitan or 'di alam kung kailan mauulit so sobrang grateful kami na nandoon kami sa sitwasyon na 'yun na nakikita namin na sinusuportahan talaga tayo ng mga fans."
MADDIE MADAYAG (Choco Mucho)
From witnessing the early rise of the sport as a collegiate ace to being part of Philippine volleyball history, Maddie Madayag hopes to see the sport grow even more through building a strong foundation at the grassroots level.
"Ang dami [ng crowd kanina]. Parang mas marami pa 'yun sa UAAP na Ateneo-La Salle 'no? Sobrang happy lang ako no na lumalaki na 'yung volleyball sa Philippines and sana mas mapaangat pa natin yung programs ng mga coaches ng mga teams pero umpisahan natin sa grassroots, 'di ba, para mas mataas 'yung competition," said Madayag.
SHERWIN MENESES (Creamline head coach)
Four-time PVL champion head coach Sherwin Meneses believes that the record crowd in Game Two is just the tip of the iceberg and hopes even more fans will be drawn to support Philippine volleyball.
"Siyempre, sobrang saya namin at nakasama kami sa historic [milestone] na yan. 'Yung volleyball sa Philippines, lumalaki na at talagang pinagpapaguran din ng players talaga para maganda 'yung mapanood (ng fans) sa every game na mapapanood nila.
"Talagang sana madagdagan pa para mas maging masaya lahat. Pero thankful ako sa mga fans na nanood ngayon kasi talagang sobrang dami. Tapos kami, 'di na rin magkarinigan kanina. So sana mapatuloy pa talaga yung Philippine volleyball," Meneses said.
DANTE ALINSUNURIN (Choco Mucho head coach)
A champion coach himself in the men's game, Dante Alinsunurin has high hopes for the promising futures of both men's and women's volleyball in the Philippines.
"Parang nagulat nga ako eh na 'ganito na pala talaga ang volleyball sa Pilipinas. Sa men's (volleyball) hanap pa kami ng hanap. Nagsasabi pa kami na manood kayo. Ngayon, magugulat ka na lang na ganito talaga yung women's volleyball sa Pilipinas. Sana magtuloy-tuloy lang at 'wag kayong magsasawa sumuporta sa volleyball sa Pilipinas," Alinsunurin said.
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