Sherwin Meneses wants to have Erica Staunton back with the Creamline Cool Smashers along with other talented imports, as they are set to compete in the inaugural AVC Women’s Champions League.
As the Creamline Cool Smashers ready for the inaugural AVC Women’s Champions League, coach Sherwin Meneses is keeping his sights on strengthening the squad with the right reinforcements.
During the Drawing of Lots on Tuesday afternoon, the Cool Smashers were pitted in Pool A where they will face Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu VC and Jordan’s Al-Nassr.
Meneses acknowledged that Creamline has previously faced Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu VC, but Jordan’s Al Nasser Club remains an unfamiliar opponent.
“Yung Kazakhstan kasi medyo nakakalaban na natin. 'Yung Jordan kasi talagang bago, kahit sa akin bago, pero aaralin mong mabuti,” Meneses told reporters on Tuesday..
Securing reinforcements will be a key focus for Creamline, as the AVC tournament allows teams to enlist three foreign players.
“Doon muna kami mag-focus kung sino 'yung magiging reinforcement ng Creamline,” Meneses shared.
Among the potential additions, the NU tactician pointed to Erica Staunton, who played the perfect import role for the Cool Smashers during their grand slam run last season.
Staunton last played in Indonesia, sutiting up for the Jakarta Pertamina Energi in Proliga.
[ALSO READ: Creamline's Erica Staunton joins forces with fellow former PVL import in Indonesia’s volleyball league]
Meneses, though, noted that nothing is set yet as the team remains focused on the ongoing PVL All-Filipino Conference, where Creamline is set to compete in the best-of-three quarterfinals.
“Siyempre, number 1 diyan [ay] talagang wino-work namin si Erica,” said Meneses. “‘Yung iba, wala pa naman. Naka-focus kasi kami sa PVL ngayon, so hopefully makakuha ng mas magandang reinforcement.”
While Meneses just learned of the team’s AVC grouping, the multi-titled coach sees the tournament as a valuable experience for Philippine volleyball.
“Mas malaking tulong sa Philippine volleyball kasi talagang makakuha tayo ng techniques at mga [highly-skilled] competitor talaga na kalaban. So, mas maganda kung tatlo tayo kasi Philippines naman 'yung lalaban,” Meneses explained.
Despite their tight schedule, Meneses also remains confident in Creamline’s ability to compete at a high level.
“Knowing Creamline, di naman totally napapagod. Basta may competition, talagang ready yan. So 'di namin iniisip 'yung mga gano’ng side. Basta sumali kami, 100% magpe-perform.”