Creamline stars Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos lead PH bid in AVC Cup

Creamline Cool Smashers celebrate during their championship match against KingWhale Taipe in the PVL Invitational Conference at Mall of Asia Arena. PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—As expected, Creamline stars Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos will lead the Philippines’ campaign in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Cup for Women, which begins on Sunday at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) on Wednesday released the 14-woman team which will represent the Philippines in the continental meet.

Jia De Guzman, Ced Domingo, Jema Galanza, Risa Sato, Jeanette Panaga, Michele Gumabao, Ella de Jesus, Pau Soriano, Kyla Atienza, Fille Cayetano, Kyle Negrito, Rose Vargas complete the squad.

The Cool Smashers earned the right to carry the country’s colors after winning the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference.

Only Valdez, De Guzman, Galanza and Sato were part of the Philippine team that competed in the previous AVC Cup in 2018 in Thailand where the country placed ninth.

The Philippines opens its bid in Pool A against Vietnam on Sunday before taking on China on Tuesday and Iran the following day. The Nationals wrap up pool play against Korea on Thursday.

The top four teams in Pool A secure quarterfinal berths while the bottom finisher automatically finishes in ninth place.

Pool B was reduced to four teams in Japan, Thailand, Chinese Taipei and Australia after Kazakhstan begged off on Tuesday.

Sherwin Meneses will call the shots and will be joined by his assistants Karlo Santos and Bok Morado plus strength and conditioning coach Mark Caron.

The team resumed training on Wednesday at PhilSports Arena.