Creamline made a strong statement in its opening game after sweeping Al Naser of Jordan, 29-27, 25-20, 25-19, for its first win in Pool A of the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League on Easter Sunday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
American import Erica Staunton led the charge for the Cool Smashers, dropping 17 points built on 13 attacks, one block, and three service aces.
Alyssa Valdez added 10 points off seven kills, a block, and two aces, while imports Anastasya Kudryashova and Anastassiya Kolomoyets chipped in nine and eight points, respectively.
“This is extra special,” Valdez said.
“There’s extra motivation when you have the flag on your chest and represent Creamline at the same time. I’m very overwhelmed, but also very excited. It’s a huge honor to bring pride to the country.”
Creamline overcame a tight opening set before finding its rhythm in the next two frames.
In the second set, Staunton’s ace pushed Creamline to a 13-8 lead, before back-to-back hits from Kudryashova and Kolomoyets restored a four-point cushion at 16-12 after Al Naser briefly closed the gap.
Kudryashova’s spike and a down-the-line kill brought the Cool Smashers to set point, with Pangs Panaga sealing the frame with a timely service ace.
Set 3 saw Creamline in full control. Lorie Bernardo’s block kill made it 23-16 before a few errors allowed Al Naser to inch closer. But Staunton’s back-to-back hits shut the door, clinching the sweep for the Cool Smashers.
Despite the loss, Al Naser’s Ilisandra Klein stood out with 19 points from 15 kills, one block, and three aces. Teammate Isabela Paquiardi tallied 14 points on 11 kills and three aces.
Cool Smashers head coach Sherwin Meneses welcomed the win but stressed the importance of the coming days.
“This match was important for us because it gives us time to work on adjustments, especially with the two imports,” Meneses said.
“We believe we’ll be able to find our groove in one or two more days.”
The victory boosts Creamline’s chances of advancing to the next round, as the PVL powerhouse squad continues to blend international talent with its reliable local core.
Meanwhile, in Pool B, Taiwan powerhouse Kaohsiung Taipower made an emphatic debut earlier in the day, crushing Hong Kong’s Hip Hing in a clinical 25-10, 25-16, 25-14 sweep.
The nine-time Top Volleyball League champions used their experience and depth to overwhelm the defending Hong Kong Women’s Volleyball League champions, grabbing the early solo lead in their group at 1-0.
Over in Pool C, China’s Beijing Baic Motor also kicked off its campaign with a strong showing, shaking off a slow start to beat Saipa Tehran of Iran in straight sets, 28-26, 25-22, 25-19.
Despite fielding only 10 players due to national team commitments, Baic Motor — the highest-ranked team in the tournament at world No. 5 — displayed resilience and composure, especially in the tight opening sets, to notch its first win and take early control of Pool C.