IT maybe an old cliche, but Creamline’s remarkable success in the Premier Volleyball League all starts in training.

“Every training, napaka-competitive kahit sila sila lang parang naggi-game sila everyday so masaya ako sa ganoong sitwasyon,” said Cool Smashers coach Sherwin Meneses.

All the sacrifices that the players do, waking up very early to practice drills and learn the opponent’s tendencies for the next matchday has paid off, as Creamline secured a record seventh PVL title, going 15-0 in the season-ending Second All-Filipino Conference.

Questions and doubts were all over when setter Jia de Guzman and middle blocker Ced Domingo left the Cool Smashers to playing overseas.

But Meneses believed in the capabilities Creamline, which won two of three titles this season, missing only the Invitational Conference won by Japan’s third-tier club Kurashiki Ablaze.

“Hindi ko nga ma-gets yung sinasabi nilang malalim yung bench namin lalo na nung last conference, mga previous conferences, yun din naman yung naglaro so plus two (lang),” said Meneses.

Except for Jema Galanza’s younger sister Mafe and Bea Bonafe, who were added prior to the conference, the Cool Smashers remain intact.

Meneses passed the credit to other players who filled the void left by De Guzman and Domingo.

Kyle Negrito became Creamline’s main setter, with Mafe Galanza as a substitute, while Risa Sato joined forces Jeanette Panaga in the middle, with Lorie Bernardo also given court time if needed.

Then there’s Bernadeth Pons, playing alongside Alyssa Valdez, Jema Galanza, Tots Carlos and Michele Gumabao in her second conference in the team, who can deliver the needed spark off the bench.

Pau Soriano and Rose Vargas had also performed well, especially in matches were the Cool Smashers need their starters to get much-needed rest for the bigger battles.

“Last conference talaga mas malalim kasi same lineup plus two so yun yung point namin, kahit na mayroong nawala may mag-step up naman kasi siyempre gusto ng mga players talaga manalo.

Yun yung talagang maganda sa Creamline,” said Meneses, now a four-time PVL champion, surpassing Tai Bundit’s three titles with the decorated club.