KingWhale head coach Teng Yen-Min revealed the two Filipino players that impressed her the most during their memorable stint in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference.
“Number three of PLDT (Mika Reyes) and (Tots) Carlos of Creamline,” said Teng through an interpreter shortly after the Taiwanese club’s straight sets loss to Creamline in the finals.
“They’re always in my mind. They can’t seem to leave my mind,” she added.
Teng’s KingWhale went up against Reyes and the High Speed Hitters in the semifinals where they figured in a thrilling five-set encounter. The Taipei-based club came out with the win but Reyes dropped 17 points on them.
Meanwhile, KingWhale and Creamline matched up twice in the tournament and Carlos dropped a combined 29 points in the semis and finals.
The Creamline opposite spiker was eventually named the Most Valuable Player and the Best Opposite spiker of the tournament – her second consecutive after winning both plums in the Open Conference – while the PLDT star took home one of the Best Middle Blocker awards.
Teng also praised the Cool Smashers after they put on a show in the finals, taking a 25-21, 25-19, 25-8 victory over KingWhale for their fifth title in seven finals appearances.
“Creamline to begin with is very strong and maybe the timing was off because in Taiwan we’re currently in our resting season, resting period while with Creamline and the Philippine teams, they are currently very active and very strong right now. But it’s a learning experience,” said Teng.
“This time we’re not complete but I’m really looking forward to playing with Creamline, Cignal, and PLDT once again once we’re complete as a team.”
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