BEA De Leon savored her fifth championship with the Creamline Cool Smashers, admitting each title now carries deeper meaning as the team’s veteran core nears the twilight of its run.
The middle blocker battled back from a knee injury she sustained in August 2025, taking a cautious path to recovery before gradually returning during the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference 2025.
Now 29, De Leon said winning the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference 2026 title felt especially significant as reality sets in for the longtime champions.
“We are so thankful... Truth be told, we’re getting older. For all of us, there’s not much time left. Looking at the core of Creamline, we are closer to the end than we ever were,” she said after Creamline swept the Cignal HD Spikers in the best-of-three finals.
“So we’re thankful that at this age, we’re still able to do it in the end.”
De Leon chipped in seven points in Game 2 and emphasized making the most of every chance to step on the court.
“We’re just full of gratitude that we got to experience this again. Whenever we see the LED lights, we think, ‘Thank God we’re back here,’” she said, recalling their title-less 2025 campaign.
“There were times we didn’t even know if we’d make the finals. Just being here—we’re grateful.”
Since transferring from the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, De Leon has been instrumental in Creamline’s historic Grand Slam run in 2024, further cementing her role in the dynasty.
She also turned emotional while reflecting on her recovery journey, admitting doubts crept in after surgery.
“It’s been a hard season. At one point, it felt grim. I didn’t know if I could catch up—my knee was hurting,” she shared.
“But thankfully, my PTs, doctors, coaches, and teammates trusted me regardless of how I looked on the court. I’m just so thankful we’re here today—and that they believed in us.”
