Alyssa Valdez and the Creamline Cool Smashers used their heartbreaking loss to Chery Tiggo as fuel for improvement, resulting to a successful bounce-back win over the Capital1 Solar Spikers in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Succumbing to a loss to Chery Tiggo less than a week ago, Creamline showcased its resilience after regaining its winning form on Thursday, March 21.
The Cool Smashers made an emphatic rebound by venting their ire on Capital1, 25-18, 25-14, 25-15, in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
For Creamline skipper Alyssa Valdez, it is all about harnessing that setback as a fuel for growth.
"Sabi ko nga sa interview ko last time, sobrang quiet namin sa dugout pero alam namin sa isa't isa na grabe na 'yung tumatakbo sa isip namin, sa players at sa coaches, para ma-improve at ma-correct namin 'yung mga mistakes," Valdez said, after the match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
"Siguro hanggang ngayon, siyempre, dala-dala namin. Kung hindi namin dadalhin, wala kaming natutunan. So, motivation namin 'yun in this conference."
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The Cool Smashers showcased better composure in their bounce-back effort versus the Solar Spikers, only committing 13 errors. It was an improvement to their wasteful showing against the Crossovers, where they coughed out 22 miscues.
This proved that the defending champions have learned from their mistakes, refusing to let the deflating loss define their trajectory in their title-retention bid.
"In volleyball kasi, laging sinasabi sa amin din ng mga coaches, kahit sinong coaches, kapag nagkamali ka ng isa, kailangan mong mag-[move] forward. Kasi ‘yun din ang magdadala sa'yo at magbi-bring down," Valdez shared.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Alyssa Valdez tips hat to Chery Tiggo, sticks to positives after straight-set Creamline loss]
The 5-foot-9 outside hitter also said that they were lucky enough to have ample time to recover from the defeat.
"Luckily, I think, it went parang in such a nice way na we had a break the day after (the loss to Chery Tiggo). We had that time to recover and reflect on our mistakes and pagkukulang sa team," Valdez said.
Valdez and the rest of Cool Smashers aim to sustain their winning ways as they next face Cignal HD on Tuesday, March 26.