Eager to rewrite its narrative, Creamline opened its 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League campaign on the highest note possible.
Just over a week removed from being denied a historic Premier Volleyball League (PVL) five-peat and 11th overall title, the retooled Cool Smashers bounced back with a statement win — sweeping Jordan’s Al Naser, 29-27, 25-20, 25-19, Sunday afternoon at the Philsports Arena in Pasig to move closer to a quarterfinal berth.
Powered by a towering trio of imports — American outside hitter Erica Staunton, Kazakh middle blocker Anastassiya Kolomoyets, and Russian outside spiker Anastasya Kudryashova — Creamline shook off early nerves and gradually found its rhythm.
The team took full control of the match to notch an early 1-0 lead in Pool A of the tournament, which features Mikasa, Mizuno, and Grand Sport as federation partners.
“Importante yung game ngayon kasi I think makaka-ensayo pa kami ng ilang days para sa adjustment sa three imports, especially doon sa two imports na bago namin. I think one to two days pa, magiging maganda na yung performance namin,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses.
(C) PVL Images
Creamline held a 16-11 lead in the third set before Kolomoyets committed an attack error and Klein Pully fired a crosscourt kill to cut the lead to just two, 16-14. But a service error by Da Silveira Isabela Paquiadri, followed by a miscue from Pully and a Staunton crosscourt kill, restored a comfortable 19-14 cushion for the Cool Smashers.
That was all the breathing room they needed, as Staunton took over in the clutch. The 24-year-old American scored four of the team’s final five points — including two straight crosscourt hits, an off-the-block kill, and the game-winner.
Meanwhile, young blocker Lorie Bernardo added a timely denial to close out the match in just 82 minutes.
Riding the momentum from their narrow opening set win, the Cool Smashers surged to a 21-17 advantage in the second frame before Kudryashova’s three consecutive attacks and an ace by Pangs Panaga widened the gap and secured a commanding two-set lead.
In the extended first set, Creamline and Al Naser were tied at 26-all before Jema Galanza stepped up off the bench, delivering two straight combination plays. Panaga then rejected Al Naser’s Marques Natiele at the net to give the Cool Smashers the opening frame and set the tone for the match.
That game-winning stretch showcased Creamline’s depth in a tournament organized by Sports Vision and supported by PLDT, MWell, Eagle Cement, Rebisco, Akari, Gameville, PNVF, PSC, Cignal, and The Look Group.
“We had to be patient today in terms of all the things we’re working on also, especially since we have three imports coming in in our team. It’s a good fight and we’re very grateful we got the win,” said team captain Alyssa Valdez, who chipped in 10 points on seven attacks to back the imports.
Staunton led all Cool Smashers with 17 points off 13 kills, three aces, and one block. Kudryashova and Kolomoyets made impressive debuts, contributing nine and eight points, respectively.
Creamline looks to complete a sweep of Pool A when it faces Kazakhstan’s nine-time national champion Zhetysu VC tomorrow at 7:00 PM, again at the Philsports Arena.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, Pully led Al Naser with a game-high 19 points built on 15 attacks, three aces, and one block, while Paquiadri chipped in 14 markers off 11 kills.
Al Naser will try to keep its playoff hopes alive when it takes on Zhetysu on Tuesday at 1:00 PM, also at Philsports Arena.
