Creamline banks on familiarity amid limited preparation time for PVL On Tour

Premier Volleyball League (PVL) powerhouse Creamline Cool Smashers are banking on familiarity to make a strong start in the PVL On Tour preseason tournament, despite struggling to prepare adequately for the competition.

Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses acknowledged that the team had only a short time to prepare due to the tournament schedule and a delayed return to training.

“Actually, we were caught off guard by the tournament schedule because we started training again late. I think we’ve been back in training for barely a month, and with the schedule placing us in Ilocos, we have to make that part of our preparation. Our seniors will be there, so let’s see how Creamline performs,” Meneses said in a press conference.

The PVL On Tour offers Meneses the opportunity to give the squad’s new and young players a chance to play and build chemistry with the team. Creamline added two middle blockers in the recent PVL Rookie Draft—UAAP standouts Sheena Toring and Nica Celis. The duo will have a chance to showcase their talents as key player Bea de Leon is currently out with an injury, and Pangs Panaga is unavailable due to her Alas Pilipinas commitments.

“It’s not just about winning these games. This tour gives us a platform to build cohesion, especially now that we’ve added two young middle blockers who are learning our system. The day after they were drafted, they already joined training, so their transition to Creamline has been smooth. They are ready and will be with us in Ilocos.

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Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses previews Jia de Guzman’s upcoming Cool Smashers comeback along with the likes of Kyle Negrito, Mafe Galanza and an on-leave Rhea Villarete.#PVL2025 #PVLonTour @spinph pic.twitter.com/KXomL60IDl

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“We are already familiar with Toring, so we’ll continue working on that. I didn’t have a long stint with NU and Sheena, but it’s a good start for her that we get to continue our tandem here in Creamline. It’s a huge advantage for her that she doesn’t need to make many adjustments,” he added.

Creamline opens its PVL On Tour campaign against the Capital1 Solar Spikers on Sunday, June 22, at Chavit Coliseum in Vigan City. They follow that up with a match against the Akari Chargers on Monday, June 23, at the same venue.

“I think the new pieces will get playing time in Ilocos because the middle blocker position is somewhat vacant. Creamline, in every tournament and in every game, gives its 100 percent. Whatever the result, we will be thankful. Even with the short preparation time, we’ll be ready for every game, including the two matches in Ilocos,” he concluded.

The PVL On Tour takes the league to several provinces, starting in Vigan on June 22 and 23, then heading to Batangas on June 28 and 29, with additional stops in Isabela and Iloilo before returning to Metro Manila.

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