Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses recently disclosed that former league MVPs Tots Carlos and Alyssa Valdez will be temporarily sidelined due to minor injuries in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
Despite the setback, the Cool Smashers are determined to follow the medical team’s schedule to ensure a timely yet careful return for their veteran wing spikers.
“May minor injury kasi, pero hopefully makabalik agad sila sa team namin. Merong timeline, pero syempre hindi basta-basta mamadaliin,” Meneses said following Creamline’s 24-26, 25-23, 25-21, 25-16 bounce-back win over Farm Fresh.
Even with the absence of Valdez and Carlos due to injuries, and Jema Galanza’s commitments with the national team, Meneses emphasized the Cool Smashers' resilience and their relentless drive to improve with each game.
Creamline has faced significant challenges at the start of the Reinforced Conference, enduring a five-set opening day loss to PLDT and a tough start in their victory over the Foxies on Saturday.
“Kami rin, tinitignan namin kung ano ang maibubuga ng team, kung ano ba ang iimprove namin as a team, lalo na sa first stringers namin,” shared Meneses, reflecting on their performance. “Buti na lang nakabawi rin kami. Magi-improve pa ang team namin; yun ang target namin, every game mag-i-improve kami.”
The birthday win over Farm Fresh not only marked Meneses’ celebration but also signified Creamline’s first victory in the Reinforced Conference, a much-needed boost for the team’s morale.
Meneses expressed his hopes for a healthy and full-strength lineup by the end of the conference, underscoring the importance of injury prevention and recovery.
“Sana mag-succeed ang team namin, pero number one talaga is less injuries kasi marami na kaming nabawasan. Hopefully gumaling na sila at makabalik na sila sa games,” the 42-year-old tactician added.
