JEANETTE Panaga, one of the PVL’s finest middle blockers, is now with Creamline.
In an interview with online sports portal Spin.ph, Panaga confirmed yesterday afternoon that she has signed to play with the Cool Smashers after her contract with PetroGazz expired last Dec. 31.
“This year, I will be joining Creamline. Very exciting para sa akin kasi Creamline, one of the biggest teams sa Pilipinas, madaming magagaling na players,” said Panaga.
“I feel so honored na isa ako sa na-consider nila na maglaro for them. I’m sure marami akong maututunan sa team, and syempre hoping din ako na makatulong sa kanila,” she added.
The Angels over the weekend announced that they have parted ways with Panaga, together with fellow middle blocker Cherry Nunag, and their main offensive options Jovy Prado, Jonah Sabete and Kai Baloaloa.
A NCAA champion and Finals MVP from College of Saint Benilde, Panaga will definitely boost the Cool Smashers frontline together with Risa Sato and Pau Soriano.
Alyssa Valdez, Jema Galanza, Michele Gumabao and setter Jia Morado will lead Creamline’s title-retention bid in the Open Conference, which is plotting for a April 10 start in a bubble.
Panaga led PetroGazz to back-to-back finals appearances two years ago. The Angels stunned the Cool Smashers in the Reinforced Conference and settled for the runner-up honors in the Open Conference.
It will Panaga’s third PVL club, as she also played for defunct Pocari Sweat in the 2017 Reinforced Conference, which is the now-pro
league’s inaugural tournament.
With her new team, the 26-year old Panaga is simply hoping to deliver her A-game for Creamline, the PVL’s most popular club which will enter an unfamiliar territory by playing without its ever-supportive fans.
“This 2021, pag-resume ng volleyball, sigurado ako maraming changes pero I’m excited to work with my new team in overcoming the challenges sa sports under the new normal,” said Panaga.
