They are committed to the cause.
Not a day has passed after winning the PVL All-Filipino Conference title, and yet select members of the Creamline Cool Smashers are already eyeing another golden run. This time, it may very well be as players of the Philippine women’s national volleyball team that will be representing the country in the upcoming SEA Games in Cambodia come May.
“We’re part of the national team... Gusto namin maglaro nang maayos for the national team,” said newly minted and now three-time MVP Tots Carlos. “We just really want to play our best, lalong lalo na, kasama namin maglaro most of our teammates. So, we’re really excited to play for the national team.”
Alongside Carlos, several Cool Smashers were also named to the national team pool, including Jia de Guzman (PVL All-Filipino Conference Best Setter and finals MVP), Jema Galanza (Best Outside Spiker), Ced Domingo, Kyla Atienza, and Alyssa Valdez, who is still recovering from her knee injury. Coach Sherwin Menses will also be part of the team as a member of the coaching staff. Creamline is also loaning MIchele Gumabao, the all-local tourney's Best Opposite Spiker, as an addition to the pool.
“Magko-commit din kami para makatulong sa SEA Games,” Meneses promised in the same presser. “'Yun muna ‘yung next priority ng team, ‘yung makatulong na makakuha ng medal sa SEA games. Sana makatulong kami.”
It will be a tall order for the national team, for sure, as it has not won a medal in the last four stagings of the SEA Games. In fact, the last time it medaled in the biennial games was way back in 2005, when it copped the bronze. This team will be looking for a breakthrough in May, and Gumabao thinks the Creamline connection can make a whale of difference.
“Nandyan naman si coach Sherwin, so the system, hopefully, ma-adapt namin 'yung system from Creamline,” Gumabao said. “We have seven players, so at least we can also share to them our culture, ‘yung happy happy lang mentality. Hopefully we can bring that and contribute to the national team.”
Also part of the national team pool are Kath Arado (Best Libero), Dell Palomata, Mika Reyes, and Jules Samonte of the PLDT High Speed Hitters. Cherry Nunag and Kat Tolentino hope to make the fans of the Choco Mucho Flying Titans proud as they take part in national team duties. Mylene Paat of the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, Angel Cayuna of the Cignal HD Spikers, and MJ Philips of the Petro Gazz Angels are the other pro volleybelles joining the pool. Collegiate standouts Lea Pelega and Risa Nogales round out the list.
They all better be ready because the Cool Smashers will be.
“We’re just ready talaga kung ano 'yung challenge and ano 'yung hingin sa amin,” Gumabao vowed.
(With reports from Mei-Lin Lozada, One Sports Digital)