Games on Sunday (Philsports Arena) 10 a.m. - Taipower vs Hiphing (Pool B) 1 p.m. - Baic Motor vs Iran (Pool C) 4 p.m. - Creamline vs Al Naser (Pool A) 7 p.m. - Queensland vs PLDT (Pool D) Still nursing the sting of a shattered dream in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Finals, the Creamline Cool Smashers aren’t wasting any time licking their wounds. Instead, they’re turning their pain into purpose as they march head-on into the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League with a renewed fire. After falling short of a historic five-peat and 11th PVL title, the Sherwin Meneses-led squad is shifting gears toward international glory. Their next challenge? A daunting Pool A featuring nine-time Kazakhstan Women’s Volleyball League champion Zhetysu VC and one of Jordan's most storied clubs, Al Naser. “Kailangan maka-move on agad, especially, may AVC tournament kami. I think yung mga players naman naka-recover naman agad,” said Meneses. “Mga competitive kasi mga players. Kaya at the end of the day, siguro nag-iisip din yan. Pero, sa ngayon, nakabalik na sila sa kani-kanilang mga bahay. So, hopefully, maka-recover sila. Pero, I think, makaka-recover naman mabilis yung team. Bawi na lang siguro sa ibang conference, especially sa AVC. Laging competitive naman yung Creamline.” Holding the fort are the power quartet of Bernadeth Pons, Jema Galanza, Tots Carlos, and Pangs Panaga—players known not just for their scoring prowess but their unshakable grit. But the real buzz surrounds their international reinforcements. Returning to the fold is none other than 2024 Reinforced Conference MVP Erica Staunton, who played a pivotal role in Creamline’s historic Grand Slam last year. She’s joined by two towers in 6-foot middle blocker Anastassiya Kolomoyets and 6-foot-4 outside hitter Anastasya Kudryashova—both of whom previously played together for VC Kuanysh and are all too familiar with their poolmate, Zhetysu VC. “I’m excited. I’m excited to play with Creamline again. I love these girls. I love playing with these girls. And then, face some different competitions. So, I’m happy to be back and to get to play some more volleyball. Yeah, I’m really excited,” Staunton shared. With Staunton, Kolomoyets, and Kudryashova anchoring the attack, Creamline is poised to unleash a balanced offensive barrage. But offense is only part of the puzzle. The addition of veteran setter Rhea Villarete could prove to be the X-factor in the Cool Smashers’ continental conquest. The former national team playmaker, known for her steady hands and court composure, joins Creamline alongside three-time PVL Best Setter Kyle Negrito to form a potent playmaking duo. “Siyempre, kailangan mo i-accept, and 'yon nga, kailangan mo i-embrace talaaga, kahit ga'no kahirap, andiyan na 'yan e. Kailangan mo lang talaga daanan kung ano 'yung mga kailangan mong gawin, kailangan mong adjustments, opportunity pa rin 'yan para may matutunan pa rin ako,” Villarete said. Team captain Alyssa Valdez’s leadership, Michele Gumabao’s instincts, and the defensive brilliance of liberos Kyla Atienza and Denden Lazaro-Revilla round out a roster that’s both tested and hungry. Meanwhile, in the middle, the rotation of Bea De Leon, Panaga, Kolomoyets, and Lorie Bernardo ensures Creamline won’t be outmuscled at the net. All eyes are now on the Philsports Arena, where the Cool Smashers open their AVC campaign against Al Naser this Sunday at 4:00 p.m., before wrapping up their pool play with a clash against Zhetysu VC on Monday at 7:00 p.m.