Alyssa Valdez offered no excuses after Creamline’s campaign in the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League came to a heartbreaking end at the hands of Nakhon Ratchasima on Thursday night.
The Cool Smashers struggled to find their rhythm when it mattered most, succumbing to the formidable Thai squad in a lopsided straight-set loss, 15-25, 22-25, 16-25, and bidding their semifinals hopes goodbye at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Fresh off a grueling five-month run in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, Creamline entered the Champions League visibly worn down. Their lack of cohesion was evident, particularly with two of their three guest players having had limited time to integrate into the system.
Still, Valdez emphasized that none of these challenges should serve as an excuse.
“Sabi nga ni coach [Sherwin], we’ll take the losses from this tournament kasi kailangan maghanda. It was actually a tall order din for us kasi we didn’t get to maximize or prepare so much for this tournament, but no excuses,” said the three-time PVL MVP.
If there was any silver lining, the 31-year-old outside hitter noted the team is walking away with valuable lessons — ones they can bring into future PVL conferences, especially after recently losing the title to Petro Gazz.
“Honestly, nakakatuwa lang din kasi kahit papaano, bago yung mga imports. We tried to adjust and hopefully next time, mas ready and mas pulido na yung paghanda namin para sa AVC. We have nothing to lose, but everything to gain in this tournament,” she said.
“I guess one thing that we appreciate from this tournament, iba rin makipaglaro sa ibang teams, sa iba’t ibang sistema. Na-challenge and na-push din talaga yung sistema namin. Doon mo rin makikita kung ano ba yung mga things to improve namin, individually and as a team. It’s quite a good experience to go outside of your comfort zone every once in a while,” she continued.
(C) PVL Images
For Valdez, the tough loss will only strengthen the team in the long run, fueling their hunger to bounce back stronger — whether in domestic competition or on the international stage.
But for now, Valdez and her teammates are looking to take a much-needed break from the relentless grind, hoping to recover and reflect on the experience so they can come back more prepared.
“This one, iba pagbuo rin yung sistema ng kalaban mo, and we really take that. It was a hard loss for us, pero alam mo, doon ka lang din titibay talaga,” said Valdez.
“Sana, ‘yon yung panghahawakan namin sa mga next tournament namin, may it be here in the Philippines representing Creamline, or representing the Philippines. Kung saan ‘man, sana pagtibayan kami nito. Hopefully, madala namin ito even after the loss in the PVL. Magandang experience ito for all of us,” she added.
With both Creamline and PLDT bowing out of the tournament, Petro Gazz now stands as the Philippines’ last hope, carrying the flag in the Champions League as they face title favorites Baic Motor of China on Friday at 7:00 PM.
That’s why Valdez is urging fans to throw their support behind the Angels in their crucial quarterfinal match.
“We root for all the Philippine teams representing our country, definitely. Isa rin sila sa mga teams na last na magre-represent so we’re gonna support them and cheer for them din. Go Petro Gazz! We cheer for all of them.”
#WATCH: Alyssa Valdez, Jema Galanza, Sherwin Meneses, and Bernadeth Pons share lessons from their #AVCChampionsLeague journey
@ernesttuazon /Tiebreaker Times#PVL2025 #AVCChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/dYwO3lUJIl
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 24, 2025
