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The Creamline Cool Smashers during their opening game in the AVC Women's Champions League, Sunday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Creamline swept Al Naser Club, 29-27, 25-20, 25-19, to open its campaign in the AVC Women's Champions League on a high note, Sunday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Erica Staunton gave a glimpse of her play which the Philippines saw in the 2024 PVL Reinforced and Invitational Conferences, unleashing the finishing touches late in Set 3 to complete the straight-set triumph.
She concluded the match with a team-high 17 points on 13 attacks, three service aces, and one block.
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"I'm just really excited to be able to play with them again," said the American wing spiker, who also expressed pride in taking part of Creamline's quest of conquering Asia's best teams.
"I think that [representing the Philippines] is really special. Overall, it's very surreal and I'm really happy to be back," Staunton said.
Creamline captain Alyssa Valdez showed what she is capable of on the international stage, joining Staunton in double digits with 10 points on seven attacks, two aces, and one block.
Imports Anastasiya Kudryashova and Anastassiya Kolomoyets had decent offensive performances, delivering nine and eight markers, respectively.
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Fil-Canadian Libero Aleiah Torres, who rarely saw action in Creamline's 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference run, proved her worth by chipping in 10 digs and two receptions.
The Cool Smashers overcame a slow start in the opening canto after succumbing to multiple errors early, erasing a four-point 14-18 deficit with a 6-1 run to taste the lead for the first time at 20-19.
After a hard-fought battle which went the distance, Jema Galanza proved to be the difference, powering Creamline with two clutch hits as Pangs Panaga finished it with a smashing block on Natiele Marques Gonçalves for a 1-0 lead.
Creamline slowly pulled away in Set 2, maintaining a slim lead from the five-all count until the separation ballooned to five at the 20-15 mark.
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