CREAMLINE has been the gift that keeps on giving to Philippine volleyball, more so in a historic 2024 run.

Still, Cool Smashers captain Alyssa Valdez would know best how their golden year wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows.

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PHOTO: Sherwin Vardeleon

For one, the injury bug had an MVP-sized bite on Creamline after winning the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference title which led to the absences of Valdez and ace spiker Tots Carlos, among others.

Photo by: Jerome Ascano

As the Cool Smashers have always done in almost all of their seven years in the league, they find ways to be the best and be at their best like no one ever was.

“This year has been probably one of the most memorable years for Creamline,” said Valdez.

“We started with a win, we ended with a win. We travel as a team, we’re ending the year traveling together as well, so we’re just very grateful and blessed as a team.”

Minor setback, major comeback

It wasn’t just a Grand Slam year for Creamline if you’d ask the ‘Phenom.’

Photo by: Sherwin Vardeleon

“2024 for me has been a roller-coaster ride talaga. Cliché man pakinggan, siguro ‘yun na ‘yung kung paano natin dine-describe at dine-define ‘yung isang year, pero totoo,” Valdez said.

“This has been the glue year of the Creamline Cool Smashers. Sana mas tumibay pa dahil sa year na ‘to.”

Creamline grew stronger, as if it needed any more tightening up, but Valdez had herself a firmer grip on where she stands at age 31 fueled by months of struggle from the sidelines.

Photo by: Sherwin Vardeleon

As she put it, “I was able to play during the first few months, able to get also the championships, but yung struggle also, ‘yung makabalik ng 100 percent after my injuries. Now, to end it on a high note also na nakapaglaro na ulit ako, so talagang rollercoaster of emotions.”

“If I may say, this has been a learning curve for me this year. Na-realize ko talaga na age is just a number, but definitely, I’m learning so much in this point of my life.”