By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
One of the longest-tenured members of the Creamline Cool Smashers will no longer wear pink and white when the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference kicks off this month.
Sayonara, Risa Sato.
In a statement released by the PVL franchise, the veteran middle blocker’s request for a release was finally granted, ending a six-year relationship with the most successful club in the country’s only women’s pro volleyball league.
The Filipina-Japanese is yet to release her side regarding the departure and is yet to confirm whether she is playing for a new PVL club or will go back to Japan.
However, the Cool Smashers reiterated that Sato’s request for contract termination will still be subject to the conditions stated in her existing clause.
“In recognition of her many years of dedicated service to the team, we have extended our understanding and utmost consideration regarding her request, granting her certain accommodations to support her as an athlete while respecting the terms of the contract,” Creamline stated.
Sato first donned the Creamline jersey when she was acquired from the BaliPure franchise during the 2018 PVL Reinforced Conference.
During that time, Sato became an instrumental part of BaliPure’s championship campaign in the 2017 Open Conference, resulting in a sudden rise to her draft stock in the league.
Creamline pulled the trigger in acquiring the middle blocker and the decision paid off as Sato helped them collect a total of 10 PVL championship titles from 2018-2024.
Although Sato’s role on the floor gradually diminished due to the rise of some of the franchise’s young bloods, her valuable contribution in the locker room made a difference and acted as a leader and an ‘ate’ to her younger teammates.
“On behalf of management and the entire team, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Risa for her dedication and service,” added Creamline.
