Bernadeth Pons looks to make the most out of her AVC Champions League debut with Creamline before returning to beach volleyball.
Whatever the result, the 2025 AVC Champions League will be one for the books for ace outside hitter Bernadeth Pons.
While she’s represented the Philippines internationally in beach volleyball, the Champions League serves as Pons’ first time carrying the flag in indoor play, which is an opportunity she hopes to learn from as Creamline goes toe-to-toe with some of Asia’s top club teams.
“Syempre, sobrang grateful ako, kasi actually ito rin ‘yung first time ko na mag-represent ng country sa indoor, and syempre, kasama ko pa ‘yung Creamline team,” Pons reflected moments after Creamline capped off its preliminary round play against VC Zhetysu on Monday.
“So sobrang ine-enjoy ko lang talaga ‘yung opportunity na moment na maglaro ngayon.”
Pons, however, is expected to make a temporary exit from Creamline following the Champions League to prepare for her beach volleyball comeback in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games alongside longtime partner Sisi Rondina.
As she returns to the sands, the 28-year-old wraps up a two-year stint with the Cool Smashers, an impressive stretch where she established her place among a star-studded core that includes the likes of Alyssa Valdez, Michele Gumabao, Tots Carlos, and Jema Galanza, to name a few.
Most importantly, Bernadeth Pons will bring a renewed fighting spirit in her beach volleyball comeback, one that she has adopted from her time with a winning program in Creamline.
“Siguro, syempre kasi international ito and international din ‘yung mga kalaban, so kahit sino talaga ‘yung kaharap mo, malaki man sila, maliit man sila, same lang din naman kami ng game, which is volleyball. So, pare–parehas kami nagti-training so dapat ano lang din talaga, tapang lang palagi kahit sino ‘yung kaharap mo,” said the reigning PVL Reinforced Conference Most Valuable Player.
The job isn’t finished just yet for Pons in the AVC Champions League, with Creamline still in the running for a quarterfinals slot despite finishing their preliminary round with a 1-1 record.
Should Zhetysu defeat Jordan’s Al Naser on Tuesday, April 22, then Pons and the Cool Smashers are expected to enter the knockout quarterfinals, which start this Thursday, April 24, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Banner images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.