Creamline Cool Smashers at the PVL Invitational Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — After becoming the first team to reach the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference Semifinals, Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses isn’t about to rest on his laurels as the Cool Smashers prepare for the two visiting foreign teams.
“We will start looking at foreign teams. We are going to spot them because they are coming from other countries, we really have to prepare,” Meneses said in Filipino after Creamline swept PLDT, 25-21, 25-20, 25-21Thursday at Philsports Arena.
“But we still have to improve for our next games. We will first focus on our game on Saturday. But foreign teams will certainly be difficult to spot,” he added.
The Cool Smashers, who won the inaugural Conference Invitational last year after defeating Taipei’s KingWhale in the win-win final, will have a tougher road to defend their title when they face Japanese team Kurashiki Ablaze and the Vietnamese Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh. in the round robin semi-finals with the top two teams from Group B.
Creamline trainer Sherwin Meneses. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Meneses said they have to be prepared for every situation as they enter the next round.
“We have to improve any type of situation in every game. The basic skills are there but we have to correct our blocking and our service. Our attacking efficiency is quite good, so we need to double the time to improve our basic skills “said the three-time PVL champion coach with Alyssa Valdez slowly regaining his lethal form after a right knee injury last December, adding more firepower with Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza.
Barebacked Creamline coach Michele Gumabao will also be back on Saturday against Akari after missing the game fresh from a trip to Europe.
“She has no injuries. She returned yesterday from an important trip. We will be happy to see her play again on Saturday,” Meneses said.
The Creamline Cool Smashers after earning their first place in the semi-finals in Pool A. #PVL2023
posted by Inquire Sports Thursday, July 13, 2023
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