Negrito thankful for Cool Smashers patience as she eases into starter role

MANILA, Philippines — The Creamline Cool Smashers are headed into a new era after elite setter Jia De Guzman left the team to pursue a career in Japan.

Plunged into the spotlight with the development was former second stringer Kyle Negrito, who takes over De Guzman’s playmaking duties.

After being tested against sister team Choco Mucho in their PVL All-Filipino Conference opener on Sunday, Negrito opened up about the pressures of having to fill in for De Guzman.

“My team is very patient. Yun lang po talaga,” Negrito said, crediting her teammates for her impressive performance Sunday night.

Against a highly capable Flying Titans squad, Negrito finished with 23 excellent sets, and helped three Cool Smashers breach double-digit scoring.

“Tulad ng sabi nila coach kanina, na talagang itong magiging season na ‘to is magtutulungan talaga kami. Magtatrabaho kami every game and syempre, magsisimula [ito] sa training,” she said.

The former FEU standout also didn’t just have help from her current teammates, but also from De Guzman herself.

Before making her starter debut in the new conference, Negrito said that her longtime teammate prepared her well to soothe the nerves.

“Si Ate Jia (De Guzman) naman po bago naman siya umalis, pinrepare naman din niya yung team nang maayos. ‘Di naman din niya kami pinabayaan na basta umalis na lang siya,” said Negrito. 

“So ako rin po, pinrepare din ako ni ate Jia and heading today, pero syempre good nerves ganun,” she added.

Negrito and the rest of the Cool Smashers hope to keep it going in their post-Jia era when they face the Cignal HD Spikers on Saturday, October 21, in Batangas City.