Alyssa Valdez maintained that Creamline's campaign in the 2025 PVL Invitational isn't over yet as they still vie for their 19th straight podium finish.
Alyssa Valdez knows the Creamline Cool Smashers’ 2025 PVL Invitational campaign is far from over, even after suffering a tough four-set defeat to Japan’s Kobe Shinwa University, 25-27, 23-25, 25-23, 21-25, on Tuesday, August 26, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The loss dropped the Cool Smashers to 1-3 in the standings, ending their title defense hopes in the two-week tournament.
But for the Creamline team captain, the focus remains on what lies ahead.
“Ang hirap pa as of now siguro siyempre medyo negative 'yung naiisip namin, but definitely it was a good fight,” Valdez told reporters after the match. “Grabe 'yung game ng Kobe today din, and I'd say 'yung positive na nakuha namin, at least hindi pa tapos 'yung laban. May chance pa rin kami, may game pa kami Friday.”
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Valdez lauded the effort shown by the Cool Smashers, hoping that their struggles as of late can only improve the team in succeeding conferences.
“It's just so nice to see everyone giving their all, and that's the most important thing din naman, and hopefully, ma-mold kami and ma-shape kami ng mga challenges namin this conference and last conference para sa mga future games pa namin,” she said.
Creamline will need to bounce back quickly if they are to preserve its proud streak of 18 straight podium finishes since 2017.
[ALSO READ: Michele Gumabo, Alyssa Valdez beam with pride on Creamline's 18th straight PVL podium finish]
While a Finals berth is already out of reach, a win in their last match could still keep their streak alive depending on other results.
But for now, Valdez stressed the importance of taking things step by step as the Cool Smashers close out their Invitational campaign.
“I think 'yung goal namin as a team right now is to actually get one point at a time sa next game on Friday. We cannot control kung ano circumstances na mangyayari but I think ang maco-control lang namin kung ano ang lalaro namin sa Friday,” she explained.
Creamline faces the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in their final assignment on Friday, August 29, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.