MANILA, Philippines – Erica Staunton was fortunate enough to work with Creamline during her first professional foreign assignment, helping the company win two PVL titles in the Reinforced and Invitational Conferences.

In the championship game, Staunton scored 29 points to help Creamline complete a historic grand slam. MJ Perez scored a game-high 42 points to lead Cignal to a comeback victory on Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum, which included wins of 21-25, 25-17, 20-25, 26-24, and 15-13.

Staunton acknowledged the lucky timing of joining a team with a strong winning culture and expressed his pleasure and thanks for becoming a part of such a great program. When Staunton thought back on the chance, he emphasized how the team’s prior success eased the transition and allowed him to concentrate on attending to his own obligations and helping the team win championships.

Staunton feels lucky to be a part of an environment that values perseverance and hard work after joining the team at a critical juncture. Staunton had a rare chance to help with the last drive to win two straight titles thanks to this solid foundation. Staunton saw it as a fortunate start to his professional career to be part of a group of players that were both capable and dedicated.

Staunton’s reputation in the competition has been further cemented by the team’s capacity to execute at a high level and his contribution to enhancing the group’s overall efforts. Staunton, who firmly believes in the value of teamwork, attributed the team’s continuous success to their work ethic and championship mindset. As we look to the future, the emphasis is still on building on this solid basis.

The American, who won the Invitational Conference as Best Outside Spiker, enjoyed everything she had learned from Creamline. She filled in for Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos, as well as Alas Pilipinas star Jema Galanza, who returned toward the end of the Invitationals, by bringing in MVPs Bernadeth Pons and Michele Gumabao, as well as Finals MVP and Best Setter Kyle Negrito.

Staunton highlighted the skill and team spirit of her teammates as she thought back on her enjoyable time as a member of the Creamline Cool Smashers. She ascribed her accomplishments, such as winning the title of Best Outside Hitter, to the Cool Smashers’ cohesive team environment. Staunton emphasized that individual honors were a direct outcome of the team’s collective effort, pointing to the crucial role played by her teammates, namely Kylie, who was voted Best Setter.

Staunton’s tenure with the Cool Smashers had a profound effect on her as a player, teaching her priceless lessons about perseverance, discipline, and collaboration. Staunton was able to grow and learn in a meaningful way thanks to the support of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) championship-winning Cool Smashers. Staunton observed firsthand throughout her tenure how the team’s continuous success was largely attributed to a commitment to training and an unwavering pursuit of greatness. Her colleagues’ encouragement and her own strong work ethic enabled her to persevere through challenging times and maintain her motivation even throughout the most demanding parts of the season.

Staunton was also able to absorb the Cool Smashers’ winning mentality, having won two PVL championships with the team. She acknowledged that her teammates’ dedication to perfection gave her the motivation she needed to step up her game, particularly in trying circumstances. Staunton intends to continue her career with a volleyball approach that is based on the team’s philosophy of working hard every day regardless of the outside world.

Staunton thanked the PVL and the Cool Smashers for giving her the foundation she needed as she was ready to go to Finland in anticipation of her next professional volleyball opportunity. She learned priceless lessons from working with gifted and committed athletes and being a part of a winning culture, which she intends to use in her future pursuits. Staunton gained knowledge and experiences in the Philippines that she will carry with her throughout her career, in addition to aiding in her development as a player.

Staunton’s tenure in the PVL will always be remembered as a pivotal moment in her career since it helped mold her into the player she is today.