Bernadeth Pons enters the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference riding the momentum of a gold medal with the Philippines in the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
For her, however, the international triumph has only sharpened her focus on a more familiar goal: bringing the Creamline Cool Smashers back to the top of the PVL.
Pons acknowledged that the confidence gained from international competition is something she hopes to carry into league play, a mindset also shared by her SEA Games partner Sisi Rondina, who is eyeing a championship run with the Choco Mucho Flying Titans.
“Exciting yung PVL ngayon. After nung gold namin sa SEA Games, minanifest ko na rin yung ngayong PVL. Syempre, inspiration din ‘yung gold namin na ‘yun,” Pons shared.
“So, sabi ko another goal na naman ulit, gino-goal ko na makuha ulit this conference. Pero syempre, we’ll take it one game at a time. Focus muna kami sa training namin every day and kung sino yung mga unang makakalaban namin.”
Bernadeth Pons Hopes for Full-Strength Cool Smashers
Beyond results, Pons is looking forward to seeing Creamline operate at full strength, with Jema Galanza and Bea De Leon back in action after recovering from injuries.
“Masaya ako na makabalik ulit sa Creamline and excited ako sa [darating] na PVL kasi nga, kompleto yung team namin ngayon and lahat makakalaro.”
For Creamline, the All-Filipino Conference serves as both a reset and a proving ground. With Pons leading the charge and the return of main setter Jia De Guzman, the Cool Smashers are banking on lessons from international play to fuel another push toward the summit.
Bernadeth Pons will return as a Cool Smasher when they face the PLDT High Speed Hitters on Thursday, February 5, at the FilOil Centre in San Juan.
