IN her debut appearance as the lead setter for Creamline in the PVL Finals, Kyle Negrito delivered an outstanding performance with 22 excellent sets.
Displaying no signs of nervousness, she skillfully orchestrated the series-opening victory for the six-time champions against sister club Choco Mucho.
However, the Cool Smashers said they continue to feel the absence of influential playmaker Jia De Guzman, who has taken her act to the Japanese club Denso Airybees.
READ: Creamline close to perfection after beating Choco Mucho in Game One
Alyssa Valdez, the team captain, said playing without De Guzman gives her a different vibe and feeling.
"Actually, this is my first time to play with Creamline na wala si Jia (De Guzman). Medyo iba rin ‘yung dating sa amin but we’ve been playing with Kyle (Negrito) din naman.
"Nakaka-miss din si Jia kasi iba ‘yung composure niya sa mga ganitong big games, but we’re really happy for her kasi ganda rin ng pinapakita niya sa Japan and we’re looking forward na sana mag-reunite kami soon — may it be on or off the court," Valdez said.
Valdez's close ties with De Guzman was highlighted when their video call was shown during the pre-game introductions where the Osaka-based player delivered a heartfelt message to the team before they took to the court.
"Hi ate Ly! Say hello to the rest of the girls for me. Super congratulations for making it to the finals. Never doubted you guys for one second. Sending you all my love from Japan. I miss you girls. I miss you ate Ly," said De Guzman.
Jema Galanza said De Guzman has been supportive of the Cool Smashers all-conference long from Japan.
"Since Day One namin, lagi siyang mag-tetext sa’min ng, ‘Good luck, galingan namin.’ Kahit sa personal messages namin, talagang nag-good luck siya at lagi niyang sinasabi na lumaban lang kami," Galanza said.
"Sobrang happy lang na nakita ko siya kanina sa screen kasi siyempre nakaka-miss din siya sa loob ng court. Iba rin talaga si ate Jia — kung gaano siya kakalma, kung gaano niya pinapagalaw ‘yung team din namin. Kaya thank you so much din, ate Jia," she added.
Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses reiterated the team's sentiment about missing De Guzman but expressed nothing but admiration for Negrito's level of play.
"Personally, nami-miss namin si Jia pero siyempre trabaho ‘pag volleyball. Kailangan namin mag-move on at naka-move on na kami. ‘Yung nilalaro ni Kyle ngayon, sobrang taas talaga. Siyempre na-mimiss namin si Jia pero si Kyle ang talagang kumbaga pumalit kay Jia. ‘Yung pressure nasa kanya, nalalagpasan niya," Meneses said,
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
