The Never Say Die spirit lives on.
The finals series of the 2023 PVL All-Filipino Conference presented the Creamline Cool Smashers a challenge they have never experienced before. In all three matches, the defending champions dropped the first set. In the best-of-three series, they were actually down 0-1.
Creamline though had the last laugh. The team managed to win their fourth All-Filipino title on Thursday.
And coach Sherwin Meneses said he took inspiration from another fan-favorite Philippine team.
"Fan kasi ako ng Ginebra," he told the media after the match, prompting laughs.
"Attitude lang talaga. 'Di na kasi talaga maituturo yun," he added.
Game 2 of the finals particularly embodied this Never Say Die spirit for the Cool Smashers. They very nearly had the match in four sets only for Petro Gazz to force a decider.
That led to a stunning eight-zero barrage by Creamline to take the match and even the series, 1-1.
In the winner-take-all Game 3, Petro Gazz took the first set again with their blocking advantage.
But Creamline wasn't about to let the match slip from their hands again.
"Sobrang challenged kami. Ang daming lumabas sa game na 'di namin inensayo," Best Opposite Spiker Michele Gumabao admitted. "Andun 'yung tatag ng puso ng bawat isa."
"No matter the mistakes, nagco-cover kami for our teammates at nagre-recover kami talaga ever since," she added.
"Wala pa kaming napanalong first set this finals. At least napanalo 'yung team."
For three-time MVP and Best Outside Spiker Tots Carlos, there was a drive within the team to become even better.
"'Yung team individually ay very competitive, 'di makikita ang konting sign ng pag-give up," she told the media. "Healthy competition, gusto mong sabayan."
"Gusto ko lang talagang manalo, 'yun lang talaga," fellow Best Outside Spiker Jema Galanza added. "Wala na kong iniisip pa. Pumalo lang."
(With reports from Mei-Lin Lozada, One Sports Digital)