MANILA, Philippines – In the quarterfinals at the Philsports Arena on Thursday, the Creamline Cool Smashers lost hard in straight sets to Thailand’s dominant team, Nakhon Ratchasima QminC, 25-15, 25-22, 25-16, to end their 2025 AVC Champions League season. Although Creamline’s participation in the continental tournament came to an end with the loss, the players and coaching staff have valued the experience they obtained.

Although the setback was hard to take, team captain Alyssa Valdez said the team learned a lot from the chance to play against top-tier opponents. Due to a shortened volleyball schedule, Creamline had little time to prepare for the event and their roster had little time to adjust to new players and imports. Valdez underlined that the squad would not make any excuses in spite of those circumstances.

Valdez urged reflection rather than dwelling on the outcome, acknowledging that the campaign highlighted areas in which the squad needed to improve. She pointed out that the Cool Smashers had to step outside of their comfort zone to compete in the AVC event, which underscored the need for improved communication, resilience, and pressure-tolerant flexibility.

The Cool Smashers’ campaign got off to a tough start in the group stage, defeating Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu in straight sets despite defeating Kuwait’s Al Naser. Creamline reached the quarterfinals with a 1-1 record, although they faced one of Southeast Asia’s top-ranked teams, Nakhon Ratchasima.

Creamline found it difficult to match their Thai opponents’ fast-paced, well-coordinated plays in the quarterfinals. A strong trio led Nakhon Ratchasima: veteran Thai spikers Onuma Sittirak and Sasipapron Janthawisut each contributed 12 points, and American reinforcement Anyse Marlee Smith scored 13 points. Creamline’s attempts to rally were thwarted by their accurate attacking and superb floor defense.

Creamline’s top scorer, Anastasiya Kudryashova, had nine points, followed by fellow import Anastassiya Kolomoyets with seven and Bernadeth Pons with eight. The squad had trouble maintaining a steady pace and was unable to mount runs that would have tested their opponents’ poise.

Sherwin Meneses, the head coach, recognized the performance gap but emphasized that the AVC Champions League experience will provide a basis for improvement. He emphasized how important it is to play against teams that are faster and more technically proficient since it exposes the team to new play styles, which will eventually improve their tactical awareness in subsequent games.

The necessity of improving their quality of play in order to compete on an international scale was one of the main lessons Meneses and the coaching team learned. He emphasized the value of readiness, adaptability, and mental toughness—skills that Nakhon Ratchasima demonstrated and that Creamline will work to further hone.

Beyond the technological challenges, Creamline’s character was put to the test during the encounter. Many players on the team were made aware of the challenges of professional volleyball by the AVC campaign, particularly those who had little exposure to international competitions. Teams from outside the Philippines reminded Creamline of the competitive gap they need to bridge with their physicality, speed, and depth.

Valdez underlined that the Cool Smashers must go through a process of rediscovery as they now turn their attention back to the Premier Volleyball League (PVL). She stated that their success in the forthcoming domestic matches will mostly depend on their ability to discover who they are, establish trust on the court, and regain confidence.

Instead of viewing the AVC exit as a setback, the team intends to embrace it as a motivating weapon. They are still optimistic that the knowledge gained from this continental test would strengthen their chemistry, fortitude, and drive for progress. Additionally, Creamline is eager to incorporate the global tactics and frameworks they experienced into their routine training.

Even though the outcome did not meet the Cool Smashers’ expectations, the experience was worthwhile since it helped to build a team that is still dedicated to greatness. Creamline hopes to apply these insights to their PVL campaign and reclaim their position as one of the top volleyball teams in the nation with increased determination and a clearer understanding of the demands of elite volleyball.

With a renewed dedication to pushing their limits and a stronger sense of purpose, Creamline is focused on the future as the AVC Champions League draws to a close.