Alyssa Valdez admits rivalry games motivate Creamline to perform better

The Creamline Cool Smashers rediscovered their championship form just in time, outlasting longtime rivals Petro Gazz Angels in four sets, 25–20, 25–21, 17–25, 25–20, to earn their first win of the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday, October 14, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Staring down the possibility of their first-ever 0–2 start in franchise history, Creamline leaned on its veteran core — and a clutch showing from American import Courtney Schwan — to avoid unfamiliar territory and even their record at 1–1.

After the match, Valdez credited the intensity of the Creamline–Petro Gazz rivalry for energizing the team at a crucial moment.

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“Coach Sherwin told us to move forward. We had to think only about this game today,” Valdez said. “It’s always a good energy coming into a rivalry match. It brings so many memories and so much motivation whenever we play against Petro Gazz. I think we just want to give our all because we know it’s always a classic when we play them.”

Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses, Alyssa Valdez, and Coco Schwan after their first win. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/R2XGO3J3NT

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) October 14, 2025

Valdez also praised the competition, particularly imports Brooke Van Sickle and Lindsey Vander Weide, for pushing Creamline to elevate their performance.

“It’s so nice to see everyone enjoying the game. That’s one thing I can say — when we play Petro Gazz, we always give our best and bring out the best in each other,” she added.

Notably, this marks the second straight Reinforced Conference where Creamline opened with a 1–1 record. But Valdez emphasized the team’s resilience and renewed energy following a tough loss in their opener.

“We never back down in any situation. There was so much joy in today’s game — that was very obvious. We just wanted to keep fighting,” said Valdez.

With this win, the Cool Smashers extended their dominance over the Angels, improving their all-time head-to-head record to 29–10, including seven wins in 11 import-reinforced matchups — further cementing their place in one of the PVL’s most storied rivalries.

Creamline now turns its focus to its next assignment against the Galeries Tower Highrisers on Saturday, October 18, at Capital Arena in Ilagan City. With momentum finally on their side and Galanza still out, the Cool Smashers will look to build consistency and maintain their championship mindset moving forward.

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