Cool Smashers a win shy of All-filipino title
ONE triumph does not crown a champion team and Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses knows pretty well Choco Mucho will be back a more prepared opponent in Game 2 of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Allfilipino Conference (AFC) Finals.
“e battle isn’t over yet. It’s just 1-0,” said Meneses the day after the Cool Smashers escaped with a 24-26, 25-20, 25-21, 25-16 victory in Game 1 at a packed Smart Araneta Coliseum on ursday night.
“We need to secure two wins, so there’s really no reason to celebrate just yet,” added Meneses as he prepares his wards anew for Game 2 set at 6 p.m. Sunday also at the Big Dome.
After a shaky performance in the preliminaries and a loss to Choco Mucho in the semifinals, Creamline emerged as the slight underdog entering its 11th PVL Finals appearance.
But the Cool Smashers showed unparalleled resolve and championship composure by rallying in three sets to clinch a morale-boosting triumph en route to a potential third consecutive AFC crown and eighth championship overall.
“It’s important that we got Game 1, but we need to buckle down and focus on the next game,” he said.
As they prepare for practice, the Cool Smashers are expected to display iron-clad determination knowing that every serve, spike and dive must be executed with precision and purpose.
There are no shortcuts, more so, no room for complacency, especially against a formidable opponent like Choco Mucho.
Meneses’s tactical mind outshone his counterpart, Dante Alinsunurin, leveraging the full potential of his support cast while fostering composure during critical moments.
Yet, Choco Mucho remains a force to be reckoned with and despite missed opportunities in previous encounters, the Flying Titans are poised to retaliate. Alinsunurin will undoubtedly devise plays and strategies to halt the Cool Smashers, fueling a more intense clash of power, styles and poise.
While Sisi Rondina and Royse Tubino spearhead Choco Mucho’s offensive, the team seeks greater support from players like Isa Molde, Maddie Madayag and Maika Ortiz.
is guarantees a nerve-wracking battle where every point becomes a testament to resilience and determination.
Petro Gazz, meanwhile, sets its sights on sweeping Chery Tiggo in their own series for the bronze medal in the season-opening conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.