Creamline will continue to miss Jia De Guzman when it resumes its campaign in the upcoming PVL Reinforced Conference.
Owing to a management decision, De Guzman will once again sit out another conference for the Cool Smashers as she continues her full-time commitment to Alas Pilipinas, which is eyeing to end a 20-year medal drought in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in December.
‘Of course, it’s impossible not to feel the loss. Jia is different. She’s battle-tested and a big factor in games. We’ll always feel that it’s a missed opportunity not having her. But maybe it’s just not the right time yet. Hopefully, by next year,’ Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses told the reporters in Filipino.
Meneses, though, remains confident with his team roster with four-time Best Setter Kyle Negrito, who has stepped up her game since the eight-time winner De Guzman took her act to Japan last year, as well as Rhea Dimaculangan-Villarete and Mafe Galanza. ‘Kyle has really improved a lot from previous conferences. So the rotation is stable, there’s really no problem there,’ said Meneses. ‘We have two backups Rhea and Mafe. And they’re always ready.’
Creamline, which finished bronze in the PVL on Tour and Invitational, is raring to defend its throne in the Reinforced with American import Coco Schwan, Alyssa Valdez, Michele Gumabao, Pangs Panaga, Jema Galanza, and rookie Sheena Toring.
‘Our number one goal is to finish the conference healthy. That’s really the top priority. But of course, our mindset is also on defending our title. Hopefully, Courtney will be a big help to us,’ Meneses said.