By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Bernadeth Pons of the Creamline Cool Smashers prefers to win the PVL Reinforced Conference championship more over the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

According to the Negros Occidental’s Talisay City-native Pons, the MVP citation is the least of her priorities as she eyes the bigger prize for the Cool Smashers.

“Hindi ko rin talaga siya iniisip. Basta every game talaga, gusto ko na mag-contribute para sa team at maibigay ko ‘yung best ko. Kung meron mang MVP, bonus na lang ‘yun,” Pons said.

Pons became a favorite to win the PVL Reinforced Conference MVP, with frontrunner Brooke Van Sickle now ineligible after the Petro Gazz Angels failed to reach the semifinals round.

The former Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws star has emerged as the Cool Smashers’ top local performer in the absence of veterans Alyssa Valdez, Diana Carlos and Jessica Galanza.

“Kailangan din talaga mag-step up sa team kasi ang dami talagang wala ngayon. Masaya ako na nakikita ko ‘yung progress ng pinaghihirapan namin every day,” Pons said.

The Cool Smashers were facing the Cignal HD Spikers in a knockout semifinal match as of press time last night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City./ASC, WDJ