Creamline ready for battle in AVC Champions League

MANILA – Expect Creamline Cool Smashers to display its brilliant form in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Champions League, which will kick off on April 20 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

The Cool Smashers will face Al Naser, one of Jordan’s most storied clubs, at 4 p.m. on Sunday before wrapping up its Pool A play with Zhetysu VC, a nine-time Kazakhstan Women’s Volleyball League champion, on Monday at 7 p.m.

The team failed to achieve a historic five-peat and 11th Premier Volleyball League title after losing to the Petro Gazz Angels in the All-Filipino Conference Finals last April 12.

“We need to move on quickly, especially since we have an AVC tournament. I think the players recovered quickly,” Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses said.

“The players are competitive. So at the end of the day, maybe that’s what they’re thinking too. But, for now, they’ve returned to their respective homes. So, hopefully, they’ll recover. But, I think, the team will recover quickly. Maybe they’ll just bounce back in another conference,” he added.

Bernadeth Pons, Jema Galanza, Tots Carlos, and Pangs Panaga will banner the Cool Smashers, along with Erica Staunton.

Staunton, the 2024 Reinforced Conference MVP, played an important role in the Cool Smashers’ historic Grand Slam last year.

“I’m excited. I’m excited to play with Creamline again. I love these girls. I love playing with these girls. And then, face some different competitions. So, I’m happy to be back and to get to play some more volleyball. Yeah, I’m really excited,” said Staunton.

Also joining the team are 6-foot middle blocker Anastassiya Kolomoyets and 6-foot-4 outside hitter Anastasya Kudryashova, who played together for VC Kuanysh.

The team can also bank on skipper Alyssa Valdez, Michele Gumabao, liberos Kyla Atienza and Denden Lazaro-Revilla, veteran setter Rhea Villarete, and three-time PVL Best Setter Kyle Negrito.

Meanwhile, other matches on Sunday are Taipower against Hiphing in Pool B (10 a.m.), Baic Motor against Iran in Pool C (1 p.m.), and Queensland against PLDT in Pool D (7 p.m.). — Jean Malanum (PNA)