Alpha predators rule

MANILA, Philippines — The Creamline Cool Smashers, like everybody else, will get the rest that they deserve following one of the toughest, if not the toughest, conferences in PVL history.

But there is a certain feeling among the Cool Smashers that when they return from their much needed respite, they will be back as the alpha predators, preying on opponents and collecting championships.

“For now, celebrate muna, bawas stress, wala muna isip sa volleyball,” said triumphant Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses late Sunday night, after he steered the dynastic franchise to a league record eighth championship with a two-game finals sweep and spanking of younger sibling Choco Mucho.

“After that, balik trabaho at pagbubutihin pa namin next conference,” he added.

How to stay on top and keep up with the revolving improvement of the league landscape and rival squads eyeing to tear down their dynastic reign will be in the mind of every Cool Smasher.

“Our losses were our lessons,” said Creamline’s heart and soul – Alyssa Valdez.

“It was really a difficult conference for us, probably because we’re really trying to figure out kung nasaan kami at this point in our lives and our career and as a team din kung ano ‘yung kaya pa namin i-improve.

“But at the end of the day, we take this win as hope to all of us that no matter what, kahit nasaan kami, kahit ano ‘yung rank namin before coming into the semis, may hope and chance talaga lahat ng bagay, hindi ka nag-give up,” she added.

There is also the big possibility of veteran setter Jia de Guzman returning to the team after a stint in Japan last year.

“Oo,” said Meneses, when asked if De Guzman is returning to the team. “Pero ‘yung status niya hindi pa namin alam but we will know bago mag start next conference, hopefully makabalik siya.

“She will always be with Creamline, mabait lang talaga management in allowing opportunities for them abroad. Hindi kami humahadlang,” he added.

Creamline could also add some young blood from the coming first PVL rookie draft tentatively set in July when it will pick 12th and last being the champion of this conference.

“Alam ko dulo kami, depende kung sino mapunta sa akin,” said Meneses.

If the pieces fit in and the stars continue to align, there’s a chance fate would make a prophet out of reigning Finals MVP Jema Galanza, who declared that there’s more to come.

“Dadagdagan pa namin ng nine, 10, 11 forever,” she said.