Alyssa Valdez is still proud of the Creamline Cool Smashers' showing in the 2025 AVC Women's Champions League.
It wasn’t the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League campaign that the Creamline Cool Smashers had hoped for.
After finishing second in Pool A, the Cool Smashers ultimately bowed to Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima Qmin C VC in the quarterfinals in straight sets, 15-25, 22-25, 16-25, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig on Thursday, April 24.
While their AVC stint ended earlier than hoped, team captain Alyssa Valdez understands that Creamline is walking away with more than just lessons from the loss.
“It was a hard loss for us. Pero alam mo, doon ka lang din titibay talaga,” Valdez said during the post-game press conference. “Sana, ‘yun 'yung panghahawakan namin sa mga next tournament—may it be here in the Philippines representing Creamline, or representing the Philippines.”
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The Creamline captain added that the international exposure was a good learning opportunity that the team can build.
“We have nothing to lose, but everything to gain in this tournament. Hopefully, madala namin ito even after the loss in the PVL. Magandang experience ito for all of us,” said Valdez.
The 31-year-old superstar acknowledged the difficulties of adjusting on the fly, especially with new reinforcements in the lineup, namely the trio of Erica Staunton, Anastassiya Kolomoyets, and Anastasiya Kudryashova.
Still, she emphasized the importance of making the most of the experience.
“Honestly, nakakatuwa lang din kasi kahit papaano, bago 'yung imports, we tried to adjust,” she shared. “Hopefully next time, mas ready at mas pulido na 'yung paghanda namin para sa AVC.”
With plenty of lessons to take away from their campaign, Valdez knows that the Cool Smashers will only get better from this.
“I guess one thing that we appreciate from this tournament, iba rin makipaglaro sa ibang teams, sa iba’t-ibang sistema,” she explained. “Nacha-challenge and nappush din talaga yung sistema namin. Doon mo rin makikita kung ano ba yung mga things to improve namin, individually and as a team.”
But for now, it will rest and recover for the battle-worn Creamline squad as they also prepare for the Reinforced Conference in the coming months.