The work continues for Alyssa Valdez and the Creamline Cool Smashers as they look to continue their championship-winning ways in 2025.

Alyssa Valdez hopes Creamline can sustain championship form amid rising competition in PVL
Alyssa Valdez and the Creamline Cool Smashers remain as the only undefeated team in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference. Photo (c) PVL

As the calendar soon flips to 2025, the Grand Slam champions Creamline Cool Smashers remain the favorites to win the ongoing 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.

But lately, that is easier said than done.

And no one knows that more than team captain Alyssa Valdez, who has her sights set on maintaining their championship form amid a lengthy holiday break.

Reflecting on the team’s 2024 journey, Valdez emphasized the heightened level of play across the PVL as a whole, which she believes has pushed everyone to elevate their respective games.

Proof of that is Creamline’s most recent win, where the Cool Smashers figured in a five-set thriller against the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, 25-22, 28-30, 26-24, 17-25, 15-13, at the PhilSports Arena last December 12.

“Honestly, everything has changed talaga. The competitiveness of each and everyone mas tumaas, mas nag-level up,” Valdez told reporters after the match.

“Hopefully, we bring that into next year. Mas mahaba at sunod-sunod ‘yung games, and mas crucial din. Sana masustain namin and maging responsive kami sa accountability to stay in that position.”

Valdez also acknowledged areas for improvement for the Grand Slam team, pointing out the need to address pacing and minimize errors, which she sees as crucial for the Cool Smashers’ continued dominance.

“One of the things na very evident siguro in today’s game is ‘yung pacing namin and errors,” she explained. “We have to contain and minimize our errors talaga. For sure, nakita rin yun ng coaches namin and yun din yung ia-address namin sa practice.”

Despite these challenges, Valdez remains optimistic about Creamline’s championship aspirations. After all, the Cool Smashers are the only unbeaten team left in the extended conference.

For now, Valdez and the Cool Smashers are savoring their hard-fought wins in the All-Filipino Conference, taking the holiday break to recharge and celebrate with loved ones.

But true to their championship mentality, the team is ready to get back to work and tackle what promises to be a more grueling season ahead.

“After the holidays, it’s double time na ulit sa practice,” Valdez added. “We’ll take this win, celebrate it, and then get back to work again.”