Defending champion Creamline made a clear statement when it turned back sister team Choco Mucho despite missing most of its key players to open the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Cool Smashers proved that their strength comes from their rosters’ depth and that anyone tapped by head coach Sherwin Meneses could bring in the numbers.
Creamline barely felt the absence of prized setter Jia Morado-De Guzman as well as sidelined starters Ced Domingo and Kyla Atienza or the limited minutes of ace wingers Tots Carlos and skipper Alyssa Valdez.
The Cool Smashers bench mob led by Bernadeth Pons, Michele Gumabao and playmaker Kyle Negrito took care of business to carve out a 25-18, 25-16, 24-26, 25-21, victory.
Negrito did a great job taking over the spot left by De Guzman, who is currently signed with the Denso Airybees in the Japan V.League, dishing out 23 excellent sets while Pons and Gumabao posted 22 and 20 points, respectively.
Creamline showed that it’s too dangerous even if undermanned that Meneses could even afford to have both three-time Most Valuable Players Valdez and Carlos come off the bench.
“Our team has a good problem of who we will field inside. But as I always tell them we have to work as a team. Whoever gets the opportunity to play, grab it and give your 100 percent,” Meneses said.
Valdez added that what makes Creamline a cut above the rest is that anyone can step up at any given time.
“I think to add to coach Sherwin’s thoughts, I think that’s what makes our team different this conference, it’s very unpredictable,” Valdez said.
“We don’t know who will get the chance to play because everyone deserves a spot on the team. I think that’s the beauty of the Cool Smashers and everyone’s really stepping up, whoever coach Sherwin fields. So, I guess that’s a good problem for coach Sherwin and hopefully it will be to our advantage this conference.”
Meneses allayed speculations of injuries on Valdez and Carlos as he just wanted to preserve his main weapons for the long conference but bared that Domingo had to rest after undergoing tooth extraction while Atienza is still recovering from an injury she sustained in the previous tournament.
“We have a long conference so it’s better to stay healthy. That’s the most important thing. It’s great that everyone is doing their role because we don’t want to force our players and risk their health,” Meneses said.
Creamline battles Cignal next on Saturday in Batangas City.
