Creamline’s Bernadeth Pons during the AVC Champions League.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Decorated national beach volleyball star Bernadeth Pons is honored to represent the country in indoor action with the Creamline Cool Smashers in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Champions League.

Creamline absorbed its first loss in the tournament, finishing Pool A with a 1-1 record after getting swept by Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu, 16-25, 17-25, 17-25, on Monday at Philsports Arena.

Despite splitting their first two games, Pons remained grateful for the opportunity to represent the country, this time, on the indoor international stage. 

READ: AVC Champions League: Kazakhs too much for Creamline

Pons on representing the country with Creamline. #AVCChampionsLeague @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/yjqzWOZmMG

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) April 21, 2025

“I’m honestly super grateful because this is my first time representing the country in indoor volleyball. And the fact that I get to do it with my Creamline teammates makes it even more special. I’m just really enjoying the opportunity and soaking in the moment of being able to play right now,” said Pons in Filipino after scoring four points off the bench.

Pons, a two-time Southeast Asian Games beach volleyball bronze medalist, is making the most of this experience before her return to the sands for the first time in two years, hoping to regain their podium finish in the Thailand Games later this year with Sisi Rondina.

“Since it’s an international tournament and we’re going up against international teams, I’ve realized that no matter who’s on the other side—whether they’re bigger or smaller—it’s still the same game: volleyball. We all train hard, so it really just comes down to having the courage to face whoever’s across the net,” she said.

READ: Bernadeth Pons reunites with Sisi Rondina for beach volley return

Pons, who focused on her pro indoor career, thrived as a Cool Smasher, emerging as the Reinforced Conference and Finals MVP last year and completing Creamline’s historic grand slam in the PVL Invitationals.

The versatile outside spiker remained as one of the main gunners of Creamline in the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference but their five-peat dream was shattered by Petro Gazz in Game 3.

Pons and the Cool Smashers hope to bounce back if they make it to the quarterfinals, depending on the result of the last Pool A match between Zhetysu (1-0) and Al Naser (0-1) on Tuesday.