CREAMLINE ended a historic 2024 the same way it started: with a win.
It didn’t come without a proper scare, though, as ZUS Coffee pushed the reigning champs to a five-set thriller, 25-22, 28-30, 26-24, 17-25, 15-13, in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at the Philsports Arena.
Alyssa Valdez showed glimpses of her vintage form with a joint team-best 17 points in her best game for Creamline since returning from a four-month injury layoff.
From one MVP to another, Jema Galanza also took flight with a triple-double of 15 points, 12 digs and 12 receptions.
Kate Santiago’s 19-point night and Thea Gagate's 15 for the Thunderbelles fell ever-so short of what would’ve been the conference’s biggest upset yet, even if they had the upper hand for the most part — a rarity against the Cool Smashers.
Not Creamline's proudest moment
Creamline's decorated captain saw the team reach the highest of highs through all seven years in the PVL.
This win, in particular, was far from one they'd put up front and center looking back at the year that was.
"It's not something na we’re proud of kasi it extended into five sets," said Valdez.
Success is well-embedded within the Cool Smashers' DNA, as exemplified by securing the sport's first-ever Grand Slam.
But in the Phenom's view, a lot has changed on who they are and the stacked playing field they're up against. And it isn't necessarily a bad thing.
"Everything has changed talaga, most definitely the competitiveness of each and everyone, mas tumaas, mas nag-level up and I think that's one of the changes that happened.
Valdez furthered, "Mas crucial din mga games sa next year, so sana masustain namin ['yung run of form na 'to] at maging mas responsive and hold accountability being in this position. Kailangan namin trabahuhin dahil mas madaming nagbago, but definitely it's the competitiveness [changed more than anything]."
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