Creamline falls to mighty Zhetysu in straight sets

Creamline fell prey to a taller Zhetysu of Kazakhstan in straight sets, 25-16, 25-17, 25-17 in the 2025 AVC Champions League on Monday at the Philsports Arena.

The Cool Smashers could not replicate their previous success over Al Naser of Jordan as they fell to an even 1-1 win-loss record in Pool A.

Creamline, the winningest club in the PVL, now awaits the result of the game between Zhetysu and Al Naser tomorrow to determine its fate.

"Kazakhstan is really a good team. They're very tall, skilled players but I guess we need to polish a lot of things sa side din namin and we hope we learn so much from this game so we can bring that in the quarterfinals," Creamline skipper Alyssa Valdez said.

"At the end of the day, we need to stick to our system and listen to our coaches kasi this this team is well exposed and well experienced din so kailangan kami rin we bring our own chemistry and system into this league."

Creamline dug deep after losing the first two sets with middle blocker Lorie Bernardo and Michele Gumabao providing some energy in the third set. 

The former UP standout delivered a quick kill before the veteran opposite hitter cut the deficit to three at 13-16, but they could not put the visitors away for good with setter Daria Sharhorodska going for a one-two attack that sent Zhetysu to a 21-15 spread. 

Six-foot-four Valeriya Yakutina then denied Creamline import Anastasya Kudryashova before the latter committed an attack error that allowed Zhetysu to take the sweep victory. 

Erica Staunton paced Creamline with nine points on seven attacks and two blocks while Anastassiya Kolomoyets and Kudryashova chipped in six and five markers apiece. 

Opposite hitter Tatyana Nikitina posted 14 points in the win while Karyna Denysova and Yakutina tallied 12 markers each as Zhetysu nears a quarterfinals spot. 
 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News