Erika Staunton and the Creamline Cool Smashers in the PVL Reinforced Conference game against Choco Mucho Flying Titans. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Erica Staunton is excited to compete with a Creamline roster in full force in another tour of duty for the most successful PVL club in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Champions League from April 20 to 27 at Philsports Arena.
Staunton arrived in Manila on Tuesday and had a few training sessions with the Cool Smashers.
READ: Creamline brings back Erica Staunton for AVC Champions League bid
The American import is particularly excited to finally share the court with Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos, whom she missed playing alongside last year due to their respective injuries.
“I can’t wait to play with them. I, unfortunately, didn’t get to play much with them. They were kind of just coming back into practice when I was leaving. I’m really excited to share the court with them,” said Staunton at Smart Araneta Coliseum before Creamline’s semifinal game against Choco Mucho.
Staunton led Creamline to a historic PVL grand slam last year after helping their undermanned roster rule the Reinforced and Invitational Conferences.
READ: PVL: Erica Staunton’s leadership bringing best out of Creamline
The 2nd Best Outside Spiker of the Invitationals, who spent her next overseas stints in Finland and Indonesia, said Creamline already expressed interest in bringing her back for the next PVL import season–but she didn’t expect to be called up this soon.
“Honestly, even when I was leaving, we were talking about like me coming back. So, yeah, I’ve been looking forward to it since even before that I left the Philippines the first time. So, yeah, I’m grateful to be here and excited to be back,” she said.
Erica Staunton is back!
Creamline import, who will see action in the AVC Champions League, will support her team against Choco Mucho in their crucial semifinal game. #PVL2025 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/mAD4B6dlcu
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) April 3, 2025
The 24-year-old import ialso eager to test her skills against some of the top Asian teams as Creamline opens its Pool A stint on April 20 against Al Naser Club from Jordan before taking on Zhetysu VC of Kazakhstan on April 21.
“I’m excited to play with Creamline again. I love these girls. I love playing with these girls. And then, face some different competitions. So, I’m happy to be back and to get to play some more volleyball,” she said.
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