CREAMLINE has the luxury of securing three reinforcements for the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League on Apr. 20 to 27 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Just over a day since their campaign in the regional tournament was confirmed, a few familiar names for the Cool Smashers have been floated online in terms of who their possible guest players could be.
READ Creamline, Petro Gazz to represent PH in AVC Champions League
Creamline’s most recent import in American winger Erica Staunton is in consideration as a focal figure of their offense in last year’s PVL Grand Slam conquest.
The 24-year-old, who was named best outside hitter in the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference, had a brief stint with Jakarta Pertamina Energi in Indonesia’s Proliga but left just before her team began its playoff campaign.
Creamline captain Alyssa Valdez, who was injured and unable to play with Staunton in her two-conference stint last year, looks forward to a possibly team-up with her on the taraflex for the first time.
However, nothing is cast in stone just yet.
“I think those things, siyempre management and coaches namin maguusap for those kind of internal matters but I'd say my wish list is definitely Erica (Staunton). We want Erica to be back in our team,” Valdez said.
“As a team, we trust coach Sherwin (Meneses) and our management kung sino 'yung makakatulong sa 'min. We welcome them wholeheartedly and for sure maka-contribute sila sa team.”
Jia-mazing return soon?
Then comes the most familiar name that every Creamline fan will recognize: Jia de Guzman.
It remains uncertain whether the three-import allocation per competing team will be limited to foreign players. But if teams will be permitted to add new local players to their rosters, expect de Guzman to be a popular option for the 10-time PVL champions.
The Alas Pilipinas captain has eight PVL best setter nods to her name and is a longtime teammate of most of the Creamline core, including Valdez, Denden Lazaro-Revilla, Ella de Jesus and Bea de Leon, among others.
Tournament eligibility is one possible hindrance to de Guzman’s Creamline return, and so is her availability.
De Guzman is currently in her second season with Denso Airybees in the Japan SV.League, one that could end by as early as April around the same time as the Asian meet.
Valdez will welcome de Guzman with open arms if the stars align for a reunion.
“We're really excited if those scenarios come through, we really miss Jia and we can't wait to see her back in action also wearing the pink jersey,” Valdez said.
“We still don't know yung mga commitments niya pagdating sa mga contract niya or sa Manila outside team and sa national team so we're hoping and praying na mas maganda yung lineup namin this coming AVC Champions League.”
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