Michele Gumabao, the 30-year-old opposite spiker from La Salle, had a major impact in Creamline's victory over F2 Logistics in the semifinals of the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference. Gumabao, who struggled in their previous match against F2 Logistics, redeemed herself by delivering crucial hits and scoring 20 big points in their Game One win.
In the elimination round, Gumabao committed crucial errors in their five-set loss to F2 Logistics, where she finished with 14 points but failed to deliver in crunch time. However, in the semifinals, she had a different mindset and was determined to bounce back for her team. Gumabao's contribution was essential in Creamline's win, including three of the Cool Smashers' last six points in the four-set contest that lasted for two hours and 20 minutes.
After the game, Gumabao expressed her desire to make up for her previous performance and credited her teammates and coaches for their unwavering trust in her.
"It was a somewhat shaky start, but my teammates and coaches had faith in me, and that was a big deal for me. They didn't lose their trust, so I just needed to keep trying until I succeeded," she said.
Despite the win, Gumabao acknowledged that the team still has room for improvement and needs to work on their errors. The Cool Smashers recorded 29 errors in the game compared to F2 Logistics' 22. Gumabao emphasized that they have to address their lapses in errors during their practice before their next game.
Creamline relied on its attacking prowess, tallying a total of 69 points, while F2 Logistics was held to just 38 points in the game. Gumabao also highlighted that their coach always reminds them that their opponents are not their main concern.
"Better late than never, it's a good thing that we won here in the semis. But our coach always reminds us that our opponent isn't really the one we need to worry about," she said.
Gumabao's redemption in Game One showcased her resilience and determination to bounce back after a difficult game. Her performance was essential in Creamline's victory over F2 Logistics, and she will undoubtedly play a critical role in their upcoming games.
As they prepare for Game Two, Gumabao and the Cool Smashers are focused on addressing their errors and maintaining their attacking prowess to secure their spot in the finals.
