Creamline wants Staunton back for AVC Women's Champions League

MANILA, Philippines — The Creamline Cool Smashers are working on getting their 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference and Invitational Conference import Erica Staunton back this time for the AVC Women's Champions League slated from April 20-27 at the PhilSports Arena.

Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses said this to the media after his NU Lady Bulldogs blanked the Adamson Lady Falcons, 25-21, 25-23, 25-18, in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.

"Of course, Erica is our top priority," said Meneses, whose Creamline completed a Grand Slam with Staunton as she also beefed them up in the 2024 Invitational Conference.

"We're not focusing on others just yet because we're focused on the PVL for now. Hopefully, we can get better reinforcements," added Meneses, whose Creamline advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2025 All-Filipino Conference.

The 24-year-old Staunton last saw action for the Jakarta Pertamina Enduro in Indonesia

Aside from the 6-foot outside hitter, Creamline can tap two more reinforcements for the Champions League.

The Cool Smashers are slotted with Zhetysu of Kazakhstan and Al Naser Jordan in Pool A while the other PVL teams Petro Gazz Angels and PLDT High Speed Hitters are in Pool B and Pool D, respectively.

Petro Gazz is grouped with Taipower of Taiwan and Hip Hing of Hong Kong while PLDT is grouped with Nakhon Ratchasima of Thailand and Queensland Pirates of Australia.

"Kazakhstan is a team we can actually compete with now. Jordan, on the other hand, is a bit new, even for me, but we'll study them well. Hopefully, we get a better bracket and can bring in some reinforcements, since there are reinforcements in the AVC," said Meneses.

Meneses said that having three PVL teams in the Champions League is good for Philippine volleyball.

"It'll be a huge help for Philippine volleyball because we'll be learning techniques and competing with high-level teams. It's better if we're three teams from the Philippines, so we can all fight together."

As for the Cool Smashers, Meneses said they don't mind playing longer after an already lengthy All-Filipino Conference which could be finished a week before the Champions League.

"Knowing Creamline, we don't really get tired. As long as there's competition, we're ready. We don't focus on other things; once we join, we'll give 100% and perform."