MANILA – Creamline Cool Smashers hopes to defend its crown as it faces much-improved opponents in the 2019 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference starting Aug. 11 at the San Juan Arena.
Cool Smashers veteran Alyssa Valdez admitted the defeat in the Reinforced Conference finals to Petro Gazz Angels was an eye opener for the team; they were beatable even with a powerhouse lineup.
“I think we have to restart from the last conference na natalo. Ang daming nangyari, ang daming realizations,” said Valdez. “We’re really excited kung ano ang mangyayari sa amin this conference.”
She added: “Wala ng advantage-advantage pagdating sa all-Filipino. Ang labanan kasi equal, if you look at it. Wala ng imports na magre-reinforce para makatulong at maka-contribute sa team. Labanan na ito ng pride saka puso.”
While the former Ateneo Lady Eagles star admitted that other squads have also excelled in talent, the Cool Smashers could still have the edge in terms of championship experience.
“It’s always a big challenge to defend the title,” Valdez said. “Lalo na sa ibang teams na ang goal is to really win the title against the defending champion.”
Aside from Valdez, also in Cool Smashers team are Julia Morado, Michele Gumabao, Risa Sato, Pau Soriano, Rizza Mandapat, Jema Galanza, Rosemarie Vargas, Kyla Atienza, Coleen Bravo, Celine Domingo, Heather Guino-o, Kyle Negrito, and Bacolodnons Mellisa Gohing and Fille Cainglet-Cayetano.
The Cool Smashers will be playing two out-of-town games in Western Visayas in the Open Conference — Oct. 5 in Iloilo City and Oct. 13 in Bacolod City./PN
