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Creamline star Bernadeth Pons. PVL Media BureauMANILA — Creamline star Bernadeth Pons is warning against complacency as the Cool Smashers go up 1-0 in the best-of-three Finals series against Cignal in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Moving to a win away from completing a redemption tour in the all-Pinoy tilt, Pons hopes the team stays grounded and "not think" that they are about to win it all.
"Unang-una, siyempre, sobrang happy na makabalik ulit sa finals. And, sobrang happy din na nakuha namin 'yung Game 1 ngayon. Pero, sabi nga ni coach [Sherwin Meneses], hindi pa tapos 'yung laban," said Pons, who had 11 points and 15 digs in the triumph, showcasing her two-way game once again.
READ: PVL: Creamline dominates Cignal in Game 1 sweep, inches closer to All-Filipino crown
The Far Eastern University (FEU) product is wary of the tests the Super Spikers had given Creamline this conference.
Cignal took down Creamline in the semifinals, 25-13, 13-25, 25-16, 25-16, as well as in the qualifying round, 25-21, 24-26, 18-25, 25-22, 17-15.
"So, 'yun, di kami pwedeng makampante. Kasi nga, given naman dun sa mga past game namin against Cignal, sobrang tiyaga din talaga nila," she said. "So, talagang tatrabahuhin pa namin para makuha din namin 'yung next game."
Pons hopes to take the crown as a payoff for all the sacrifices they have given this tournament.
"Ayun nga, ayaw namin din talaga na masayang 'yung sacrifices namin, 'yung effort namin since nag-start 'yung training. January 2 pa lang, bumalik na kami para mag-ensayo for this conference. Ang daming struggle ng team. Hindi naging madali para sa amin 'yung conference na ito," she said.
"So, ngayon, nasa finals na kami. Sobrang gusto namin i-grab 'yung opportunity na meron kami."
Game 2 is on Thursday, April 23, also at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.