ANTIPOLO — With all but an on-the-mend Tots Carlos back in the attacking fold, Creamline continues to inch ever-so closer to regaining full strength.
READ: Creamline smashes Petro Gazz in Valdez's sought after return
And the return of team captain Alyssa Valdez brings with it much more than just what appears on the stat sheet, as her four points built on three attacks in the Cool Smashers' triumph over Petro Gazz showed.
Valdez back and ready to go
Following a brief injury layoff, Valdez’ gratitude lies not only in completing her recovery, but by simply getting the chance to don Creamline’s signature pink threads again.
“Coming from an injury, iba pa rin kapag kasama ka na sa lineup. Sobrang nahirapan ako, but sabi nga ni coach [Sherwin Meneses], it’s a total team effort,” said the three-time PVL MVP.
“Hindi mo talaga mafi-feel na may dinadala ka. You just have to perform, be yourself, and carry yourself there.”
In the four months she spent watching from the sidelines, there was never any doubt on Valdez’ mind that her Grand Slam-winning team can stand their ground regardless of who’s there or not.
“Kahit sino ipasok, kahit ano mangyari, kahit sino ipasok, nandu’n talaga yung respeto at tiwala. Isa rin ‘yun sa motivation namin, ‘yung respect na binibigay namin sa isa’t-isa, na winork namin together […] to give justice sa sistema ng Creamline.”
Creamline's 'good problem'
Valdez' seven-time champion coach Sherwin Meneses would also attest to the fact that with a vast array of talent to choose from, the Cool Smashers has and will still deal with what it considers to be a luxury of a problem to have moving forward in the league's longest conference yet.
"Talaga namang good problem palagi sa Creamline eh, pero kasi ngayon, medyo mahaba talaga ‘yung conference. Wala pang naka-experience ng six months na tournament dito sa Pilipinas, first time talaga ‘to, so pinag-aaralan naming mabuti kung paano patatakbuhin ‘yung team in six months," Meneses said.
"Kahit kanino ko itanong, wala talagang naka-experience so pagaaralan mabuti. Lucky kami kasi marami kaming players na nandiyan, nagco-contribute pa lagi, nageensayo pa lagi. Let’s see sa mga next games bilang sobrang haba rin kasi."
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