The Creamline Cool Smashers, led by import Erica Staunton, are back in action as they aim for a historic grand slam in the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference.
Not even two full days have passed after reclaiming the PVL Reinforced Conference title, and the Creamline Cool Smashers are already back in action.
This time, the Cool Smashers are set to compete in the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference for a shot at history—the historic grand slam.
Having bagged the All Filipino Conference and the Reinforced Conference trophies, the GV-Kada just need one more to complete their collection.
Creamline has come so close in the past--specifically in 2022--when it won the All-Filipino Conference and Invitational but fell short of making the finals in the Reinforced Conference.
Ready to lead the Cool Smashers in its hunt for the grand slam is import Erica Staunton, who had an incredible playoff run during the Reinforced Conference en route to the championship.
“I hope [I can lead them]. I think that would an unbelievable statistic for them,” Staunton told One Sports.
“I honestly didn't even know that, so again, I'm just gonna go out there, do my part, do what I can, do my job, and hopefully help the team get that third championship,” she added.
Of course, Creamline’s path to the grand slam will not be easy, as they will have to get past four other teams to bring home the Invitational Conference.
Among those include the Farm Fresh Foxies, Thailand’s EST Cola, Cignal HD Spikers, and the defending champions Kurashiki Ablaze of Japan.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Kurashiki remains undefeated in Invitational Conference after dominant sweep of Farm Fresh]
In fact, the Cool Smashers have yet to defeat the Ablaze. They bowed to the Japanese squad twice in last year’s tournament, including the thrilling championship match.
Creamline also won’t have the benefit of rest, as they are just coming off their championship run. They also don't have their main starters, who are either participating for Alas Pilipinas or are resting due to injuries.
That didn't stop them from claiming the Reinforced Conference title.
Nonetheless, Staunton knows her teammates are ready to compete again and vie for their 10th PVL crown.
“I think it's a grind. It's very short conferences right there back-to-back, but again, this team is filled with competitors and so at the end of the day that's our number one focus is to just go out, work hard, and compete,” said Staunton.
[ALSO READ: Coolest Queens: Meet the MVPs behind Creamline’s PVL championship dynasty]
The Cool Smashers are set to begin their Invitational campaign later at 2:00 p.m. as they face the young EST Cola of Thailand at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna.