CREAMLINE Cool Smashers refuse to get complacent despite taking early control of the 2026 PVL Invitational Conference.
After sweeping Ho Chi Minh of Vietnam, 25-18, 25-16, 25-6, on Tuesday, Creamline moved to a spotless 2-0 record and seized the solo lead in the six-team tournament.
But Jema Galanza stressed that the Cool Smashers are treating every point as important, regardless of how big their lead becomes.
“Alam namin na lamang kami, pero we don’t need to be complacent,” Galanza said.
“We are just reminding everyone na okay, stay focused tayo. We have to work hard still every step, every ball na dumarating sa atin.”
For Galanza, the mindset applies whether Creamline is ahead or behind.
“Kung kahit ano’ng lamang mo, kahit ang kalaban kahit ano’ng lamang nila, we need to stay composed and we have to focus on what we need to do and what we need to work,” Galanza pointed out.
She also pointed to the team’s collective hustle as a major reason for its strong start.
“Siguro iyung hustle kasi ng team. Parang mahihiya ka kung hindi mo talaga gagawin din iyung part mo,” Galanza said.
After battling Nxled in their opening game, Creamline showed even greater control against Ho Chi Minh, dominating the third set with a 25-6 rout.
Galanza said the team’s ability to stay locked in and not obsess over the scoreboard helped them maintain their rhythm.
“Medyo talaga mas nag-focus kami doon sa laro namin. So hindi namin masyadong tinitingnan iyung points. Kaya siguro naging maganda din iyung kinalabasan, she added.
Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses echoed that approach, saying the defending champions are focused solely on the opponent in front of them.
“Actually, ang focus ng Creamline talaga is every game,” Meneses said.
“Naka-prepared kami sa 10 days na liga. Kaya every opponent na mga kalaban namin, talagang doon muna kami magpo-focus.”
With the tournament compressed into just nine days, Meneses said the Cool Smashers are taking nothing for granted.
“Focus kami doon sa every point. Focus kami. Doon lang muna kami,” he added.
Creamline returns to action against Farm Fresh on Thursday, before facing EST Cola and defending champion PLDT later in the tournament.
For now, the Cool Smashers are alone at the top and determined to stay there one point at a time. (Jesus Nathaniel Valdez)
