Erica Stanton of the Creamline Cool Smashers plays against the Signal HD Spikers in the PVL semifinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Erica Stanton believes she has grown a lot as a player and developed a strong bond with the Creamline Cool Smashers during her first professional stint in the PVL.
Coming off a losing PVL debut, Stanton ensured a different outcome in the semifinals, recording a career-high 38 points and leading the Cool Smashers back from a two-set loss to their first Reinforced Conference final in five years with a 20-25, 26-28, 25-18, 27-25, 15-13 victory over the Signal HD Spikers on Saturday.
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“I think we found our rhythm after the first match and we knew how to work together. What’s special about Creamline is we’re not focused on one guy. We don’t have just one guy that’s focused on attacking,” Stanton said after finishing with 36 kills, a block and an ace.
Read: PVL: Keeping calm and having fun brings out the best in Stanton
“Kyle (Negrito) distributes the ball well. I think all of our hitters are threats. That puts a lot of pressure on the other team. I remember our first practice after practice resumed, we just focused on simple balls, getting some good passes to Kyle to get him involved up the middle, running the attack from pin to pin and making sure all our hitters were involved in the attack,” she added.
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The American transfer from the University of Georgia forms a formidable duo with MVP candidates Bernadeth Pons and Michelle Gumabao and will be hoping to help the Cream Line end a six-year title drought in a transfer-heavy conference in the absence of stars Alyssa Valdez, Gemma Garanza and Totz Carlos.
The Creamline Cool Smashers celebrate their victory after defeating the Signal HD Spikers in the PVL Reinforced Conference Semifinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net
Gumabao also believes Stanton was the right addition to the cream line, as they clinched the gold medal match against unbeaten Akari on Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, despite the challenges of a thin roster.
“She tries her best to contribute to the team, is happy when she is playing and has that good vibe that is always needed to be a part of the Creamline Cool Smashers. She has heart and it’s exciting to watch her play on the court. She never gives up and is always helping the team. That’s what Creamline is all about – it’s a total team effort that pays off,” said Gumabao, who contributed 10 points.
Read: PVL: Creamline’s Erica Stanton has lots of room for improvement
“We’re glad that she has that mentality, even though she’s an import, because we’re so used to being imports and wanting to do everything. Imports can do that and we know she can do it, but she also trusts us, the locals, to help us do the job and that’s the most important thing. She’s a leader no matter how young she is and she really does her best to let us learn from her.”
The 22-year-old import is giving it his all in every game to gain experience in the PVL, his first professional and overseas competition, and is looking forward to a semi-final showdown with Signal’s Venezuelan spiker MJ Perez, who recorded 32 points, 18 receptions and 11 digs.
“She’s a great player. Just watching her as a scout, you can see how much she cares about the team, how well she works with the team, how serious she is about it. I love the team dearly, so it was great to see that. Watching the film, I thought she worked really hard, she has a lot of experience. She’s just a great player. I have a lot of respect for her and I think I’ve learned a lot from her,” Stanton said.
“She’s tenacious. I thought she was aggressive throughout the match and she was changing up her shots. I think that’s something I can still improve on as a player.”
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Stanton will be determined to give the cream line its first consolidation crown since 2018 in another life-or-death match against unbeaten top-seeded Akali.
