Despite benching, Alyssa Valdez still Creamline's 'heart and soul'

MANILA, Philippines – The Creamline Cool Smashers still have ace hitter Alyssa Valdez at their core, even as the former Ateneo standout’s minutes dwindle in the 2023 PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference.

Against storied rival F2 Logistics Cargo Movers, Valdez was benched for all three sets, with Bernadeth Pons doing the heavy lifting for the still undefeated Cool Smashers.

After the game, Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses casted away any doubts on Valdez’ health, as it was the first match she didn’t see any action at all in the tournament.

“Kasi yung team naman ngayon talagang may nawala, may dumating, talagang tinitignan namin sa ensayo, talagang sino yung magpe-perform. [Si] Alyssa maganda yung condition ngayon, siguro, nabigyan lang ng opportunity sina Pons na makalaro ngayong araw. Let’s see sa mga susunod na game,” said Meneses.

“Pero, syempre, Alyssa is Alyssa, makakabalik din yan. Siya pa rin talaga ang heart and soul ng Creamline,” he added.

Even at 6-0, Meneses is continually trying to test his luck with his rotation. After losing key cogs in Jia Morado-De Guzman and Celine Domingo before the conference, the decorated tactician is shifting gears to find the perfect formula.

“Siguro may dinodiscover lang kami ng konti, knowing na mahaba kasi yung conference ngayon napakaganda kung yung playing time ay hati-hati. So let’s see sa mga susunod na games,” he said.

Without Valdez, Creamline continued to look flawless. Tots Carlos led a balanced scoring effort from the Cool Smashers against F2, with 15 points while Jema Galanza added 11.

Three players, Pons, Kyle Negrito, and Jeannette Panaga had seven points each.

With their loaded arsenal, the Cool Smashers can afford resting Valdez for a game or two.

Nevertheless, the Cool Smashers will seek their seventh win when they face the PLDT High Speed Hitters at Cagayan De Oro on Saturday, November 18.