PASSI CITY — For Creamline captain Alyssa Valdez, the sea of pink that welcomed her in Iloilo was more than just a fan presence—it was a lifeline.
Coming off their second straight loss in the 2025 PVL On Tour, the Cool Smashers entered the second day of their Passi City campaign carrying not just the weight of expectations, but the sting of a shocking setback against ZUS Coffee.
For a team that built its reputation on poise, precision, and passion, the stumble was unfamiliar—and unsettling.
But if Valdez and the rest of Creamline needed a reminder of who they were playing for, it came in waves: fans still flooded the arena on Sunday, clad in pink shirts, waving Creamline flags, and cheering as though nothing had gone wrong. It was that kind of unwavering loyalty that lit a spark.
“It’s my first time here in Passi. It’s great na we have our seventh man here also in Iloilo,” said Valdez, her voice muffled as she spoke from inside the team bus, unable to do the postgame interview outside due to the swarm of fans gathered around.
“It’s just so nice na we might have lost the last game, pero buong-buo pa rin yung suporta nila in our second game, so nakakatuwa pa din.”
And Valdez made sure to return the love. In Creamline’s high-stakes battle against Chery Tiggo, she delivered a masterclass—dropping 19 points built on 16 attacks and three blocks, while anchoring the floor defense with 11 digs and 15 receptions.
It was her second straight standout performance in as many nights, having previously tallied 16 points and 21 excellent receptions against ZUS.
Her energy on court was matched only by the electric atmosphere inside the Passi City Arena.
But Valdez wasn’t just playing to the crowd—she was setting the tone for a team that needed to remember what it meant to play like champions again.
“With the help of my teammates, my coaches—talaga—hopefully maging mas consistent pa kami and mas makapag-prepare pa for the upcoming games na mas crucial,” she said.
Creamline’s win over Chery Tiggo wasn’t handed to them on a silver platter.
It was a close four-setter that could’ve easily slipped away in the fourth frame.
The Cool Smashers were locked in a tense tug-of-war, with errors and long rallies putting their composure to the test.
But instead of cracking, they leaned into their identity—calm under pressure, spirited in execution.
“Honestly, I think one thing na narealize namin is we just have to play and enjoy the game—and respect the game,” Valdez reflected. “Andaming lapses, kaya naman very specific din yung lapses namin from our first game, so mas madaling naka-adjust in today’s game.”
