Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses–PVL PHOTO
Creamline had the benefit of adding significant pieces to its already formidable core during this offseason, with the challenge facing coach Sherwin Meneses now is on how to get his new cogs to embrace the Cool Smashers’ championship-caliber system.
“We are still looking at how our new players will affect the team because of course, we cannot gauge that in just three weeks,” Meneses told reporters in Filipino, referring to middle blocker Bea de Leon and libero Denden Lazaro-Revilla whom the Cool Smashers picked up from sister team Choco Mucho.
Creamline lent Ced Domingo to the Thailand league last year and lost her after winning the All-Filipino as Domingo transferred to Akari. The Cool Smashers, though, showed that they were perfectly capable without her as they swept the tournament.
“Hopefully, as days go by, we learn more of what their impact on the team will be,” Meneses went on when asked of De Leon and Lazaro-Revilla. “As of now, we will continue training under the system while maintaining our players healthy especially those from Choco Mucho.
“That was big (getting De Leon and Lazaro-Revilla) because we didn’t lose anyone and yet we got additions to our team.”
Getting along
So far, Meneses, speaking during a team affair on Thursday where Allianz renewed its sponsorship, sees no problem in team chemistry.
“Their chemistry has been good so far. They are not only together on the court, but outside volleyball, they have already been getting along. They have good chemistry right now,” he added.
“It’s not easy to take in new players because they will be entering an entirely new system,” Meneses said. “Same as with every other team (that made signings in the offseason) we will figure out how the new players will gel (as the season moves on).
Meanwhile, in the PNVF Champions League, Cignal on Friday roared back from two sets down to beat gritty College of St. Benilde, 23-25, 22-25, 25-22, 25-22, 15-10, and make the title game.
The HD Spikers used their wealth of experience in steadily clawing back against the Blazers despite fatigue that played a factor because of the tournament’s daily schedule.
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The HD Spikers will be colliding with Petro Gazz, which swept new-look Chery Tiggo in their semifinal pairing, 25-21, 25-19, 25-14, later in the night. The title game is slated on Saturday. The Crossovers, who also underwent a massive offseason facelift, will battle College of St. Benilde in the 3 p.m. game for the bronze medal.