After ruling PVL All-Filipino tourney, Creamline's core turns focus on SEA Games

After reigning supreme in the 2023 PVL All-Filipino Conference, the Creamline Cool Smashers will immediately return to the drawing board as the core of the team prepares to banner the Philippine team in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games this May.

According to Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses some of their key players will be suiting up for the national team, like recently-crowned conference MVP Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, Michele Gumabao, and Jia Morado.

And despite a grueling PVL championship run, Meneses said they will happily answer the call of duty, including himself as he is also part of the coaching staff.

"Hindi ko pa naisip kasi 'di pa nga natin alam kung ano 'yung next na conference. Pero speaking of SEA Games, magco-commit din kami para makatulong sa SEA Games team natin," answered Meneses when asked what their next plans are after another title conquest.

"Siguro 'yun muna 'yung next priority ng team, na makatulong sa national team."

(I haven't thought about it since we don't know yet what the next conference would be. But speaking of the SEA Games, we will give our commitment so that we can help our national team... That could be our next priority, to help our national team.)

Creamline is fresh off a Game 3 victory against Petro Gazz on Thursday that allowed them to defend their crown and cop their fourth overall All-Filipino title and sixth title for the franchise after also dominating the 2018 Reinforced and 2022 Invitational tilts.

Leading the Cool Smashers against the Angels was Carlos, who was also named one of the two best outside spikers with the other one being Galanza. Gumabao copped the best opposite hitter while Morado claimed the best setter as well as the Finals MVP plum.

For Carlos, they want to give their best for the national team, which is eyeing to quench an 18-year medal drought. The last time the women's national team won a medal in the biennial meet was in 2005 while the last gold was tasted in 1993.

"We're part of the national team. So gusto namin muna mag-celebrate pero syempre, gusto namin maglaro nang maayos for the national team," said Carlos, who picked up her third MVP title.

"We just really wanna play our best kasi lalong-lalo na kasama namin maglaro most of our teammates so we're really excited to play for the national team."

(We're part of the national team. So we want to celebrate but of course, we also want to play well for the country... We just really wanna play our best, especially that we will be playing with our Creamline teammates as well.)

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News