PVL: Creamline prepared to play without Alyssa Valdez in playoffs

Creamline injured starter Alyssa Valdez. – PVL PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines—For the first time since the partnership of Creamline and Alyssa Valdez in the Premier Volleyball League, the volleyball star will not be able to suit up in the playoffs.

Valdez, who is dealing with a knee injury, was ruled out by coach Sherwin Meneses for the semifinals after the Cool Smashers’ four-set win over Akari in the final game of the conference playoffs.

“We have prepared how to play even without Ly at the beginning of this season because until now he still cannot play. The number one priority is his health,” Meneses said at the San Agustin Gymnasium in Iloilo on Tuesday.

“We will continue our preparations every day in training until we are all good. After that, we will see who we will face because there are still games. We will see who will face us in the semi-finals.

Creamline announced last month that the Ateneo product underwent a “procedure” for his right knee.

The Cool Smashers’ ace spiker hurt his knee after an awkward landing in December last year in the middle of the squad’s clash with Chery Tiggo.

At the time of writing, there is still no timetable for the phenom’s return to the hard court.

Creamline Cool Smashers in the PVL game in Iloilo. – PVL PHOTOS

Jia De Guzman, who finished with eight points and an impressive 22 sets for Creamline on Tuesday, said that without Valdez playing on the court, he will still be a big help in the semis by giving advice from the sidelines.

“Ate Ly will always be there even if she is not in court. He still gave us a lot of input and criticism that helped our game especially before we lost the third set,” said De Guzman.

“They gave us things to work on and that really helped, so it showed on the court in the fourth set.”

Creamline bounced back in the fourth set after losing a tight third set, 27-29. The Cool Smashers turned on full throttle to limit the Chargers to just eight points when it mattered most, 25-8.

Now, the PVL semi-finalists are done but there is no match yet.

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