STA. ROSA — Even the best stumble, and an undermanned Creamline did so at an ill-timed day.
Missing its head coach and two of its biggest stars, the Cool Smashers absorbed a four-set loss to Farm Fresh on Tuesday, a setback that now threatens their qualifying round bid.
For team captain Alyssa Valdez, the defeat stung harder given the circumstances.
READ: Farm Fresh stuns Creamline, stays alive for qualifying round spot
“There were instances that we really couldn't control. A lot of scenarios for our team na really didn't expect na it's gonna happen in a snap na magkakasabay,” Valdez told reporters after the loss.
Creamline played without head coach Sherwin Meneses, who, as first reported by SPIN.ph, was hospitalized Monday in what has since been disclosed as a suspected case of pneumonia.
The blows did not stop there.
Top scorers Jema Galanza and Bernadeth Pons were also sidelined. Both were present in street clothes, but the reasons behind their absence from the lineup remain undisclosed.
Those sudden setbacks dampened the mood even before first serve.
“It’s definitely sad na hindi kami ganun ka-kumpleto,” Valdez admitted.
“Napakalaking adjustment. We all know that Jema and Pons are the top two [sa Creamline], most especially sa stats and also in the PVL no, so malaki ‘yung nawala talaga.
“Most especially kay Coach Sherwin din. We're so sad na hindi rin namin siya nakasama. We're praying for his fast recovery.”
Battles of her own
Not many know that Valdez has also been dealing with health concerns.
She declined to go into specifics, but her condition has been evident, including in recent interviews where her voice has not been at full strength.
“I’ve been dealing also with some issues, but I'd say not really something urgent in terms of kung kailangan ko bang ipahinga,” she said.
Still, in true champion fashion, Creamline refuses to flinch.
“May mga pagkakataon na hindi natin inaasahan na darating, but we really have to be prepared and we really have to fight,” Valdez said.
“‘Yun ‘yung isa sa mga natutunan namin. We have to fight, we have to give our all and saan kami abutin siguro ‘yun muna ‘yung mas important.
“But at least buo kami, we're together still.”
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