Manila: Expect Creamline Cool Smashers to display its 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 are set to face Al Naser, one of Jordan’s most storied clubs, at 4 p.m. on Sunday. They will then conclude their Pool A matches against Zhetysu VC, a nine-time Kazakhstan Women’s Volleyball League champion, on Monday at 7 p.m.

According to Philippines News Agency, the team is eager to move past their recent setback in the Premier Volleyball League, where they fell short of a historic five-peat and 11th title after losing to the Petro Gazz Angels in the All-Filipino Conference Finals on April 12. Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses expressed optimism about the team’s resilience, stating, “We need to move on quickly, especially since we have an AVC tournament. I think the players recovered quickly.”

Bernadeth Pons, Jema Galanza, Tots Carlos, and Pangs Panaga will be key players for the Cool Smashers, alongside Erica Staunton, the 2024 Reinforced Conference MVP, who played a crucial role in the team’s Grand Slam victory last year. Staunton shared her enthusiasm, saying, “I’m excited to play with Creamline again. I love these girls. I love playing with these girls.”

The team also includes 6-foot middle blocker Anastassiya Kolomoyets and 6-foot-4 outside hitter Anastasya Kudryashova, who previously played together for VC Kuanysh. Skipper Alyssa Valdez, Michele Gumabao, liberos Kyla Atienza and Denden Lazaro-Revilla, veteran setter Rhea Villarete, and three-time PVL Best Setter Kyle Negrito add to the team’s depth and experience.

Meanwhile, other matches on Sunday include Taipower against Hiphing in Pool B at 10 a.m., Baic Motor against Iran in Pool C at 1 p.m., and Queensland against PLDT in Pool D at 7 p.m.