BY ABBY TORALBA
AFTER completing its title conquest in the PVL Invitational Conference last Sunday, Creamline has responded to the call to represent the country in the coming AVC Cup for Women.
PVL president Ricky Palou confirmed after the winner-take-all duel that the Cool Smashers had accepted the invitation to see action in the continental meet set Aug. 21 to 29 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
“The AVC Cup is going to start on the 21st of this month and we’re happy to announce that Creamline will represent the Philippines in this tournament,” Palou said.
The Filipina spikers face Vietnam on Aug. 21, China two days later, Iran on Aug. 24 and South Korea on Aug. 25.
Creamline, which emerged as the top local team in the Invitationals, dominated foreign guest team KingWhale Taipei 25-21, 25-19, 25-8 in the final for its second straight crown.
The victory was also Creamline’s fifth in seven PVL finals appearances.
The Invitational’s Best Outside Spiker Alyssa Valdez, Jia Morado, Jema Galanza, and Kyle Negrito are set to don the country’s tricolors anew, while newly-minted MVP Diana Mae Carlos will make her debut.
Also in the line-up are finals MVP Ced Domingo, Michele Gumabao, Jeanette Panaga, Risa Sato, Kyla Atienza, Lorie Bernardo, Pau Soriano, Fille Cayetano, Rose Vargas and Rizza Mandapat together with coach Sherwin Meneses.
Akari’s Trisha Genesis and California Precision Sports’ Jelai Gajero are also in the national pool.
Veteran open spiker Valdez, who played for the country in the 31st Southeast Asian Games last May, expressed her excitement for the tilt.
“I’m very excited for everyone lalo na sa team namin kasi not all were exposed or parang nabigyan ng opportunity to play for the national team,” Valdez said.
“Now we’re given this opportunity as a team, as a club team, and we’re really glad na tanggapin ‘yun and we’ll really try to maximize everything and learn from it as a team also and as an individual. We are just gonna give our best and hopefully all the Filipinos, all the volleyball supporters will be there to support us and welcome all the other teams.”
Opposite hitter Carlos shared her sentiments for the AVC Cup for Women and indicated the team will do its best.
“We’re really happy. Ayun nga, same with Ate Ly (Valdez) na not all are given the chance na ma-represent or mabigyan ng chance to be in the national team. We’re glad din na (club) team iyong dadalhin namin and I think we’ll really give our best na mabigyan ng magandang laro ‘yung every team and we’re really excited talaga na mag-laro din,” she said.