Michele Gumabao proved to be as reliable as ever after helping Creamline to its second consecutive Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference championship win.
The Cool Smashers won the championship game against Petro Gazz with a 20-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-15 score, where Gumabao hammered down 18 points.
The 30-year-old La Salle alumna also won the Best Opposite Spiker award after her outstanding performance throughout the tournament.
Gumabao rose to the top spiker spot after the semis, proving that she still has what it takes to compete after spending a year on Creamline's bench.
Gumabao credited the team's victory to their unwavering teamwork and perseverance, especially during the finals.
"There are really a lot of things that came out, especially in the finals, we were really challenged... But the strength of each person's heart and teamwork is still there," she said.
Aside from being a team player, Gumabao also earned a spot in the Philippine women's national volleyball team pool, along with her Cool Smashers teammates Jia De Guzman, Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, Kyla Atienza, Ced Domingo, and injured skipper Alyssa Valdez. She also mentioned that Valdez's presence during practice, despite her injury, has been a source of inspiration for the team.
"Of course, she is always a part of everyone's motivation because she is there every day at practice, even though she cannot play. She's always there to support us. When we need a wake-up call, she's also there," Gumabao shared.
"So it's a big part of our dedication to Alyssa, so she won't be too worried or have too many things on her mind. Because she has to focus on her recovery, and she has to focus also on getting back to her 100-percent. So we're dedicating this to a lot of people, but Alyssa is really our big inspiration."
