Ex-BLUE EAGLE MINER MAKES PRO DEBUT

Games today:

(Ynares Center-Montalban)

4 p.m. — Chery Tiggo vs Capital1

6:30 p.m. — ZUS Coffee vs Akari

Debuting Chery Tiggo and ZUS Coffee look to open their respective campaigns on a winning note against rivals trying to bounce back from early setbacks Saturday in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour’s stop in Montalban, Rizal.

Exciting volleyball action takes center stage in the newly-built and state-of-the-art Ynares Center-Montalban starting at 4 p.m. when the Crossovers take on Capital1 in the Pool B curtain-raiser.

Meanwhile, the Thunderbelles battle Akari in the main game at 6:30 p.m.

All eyes will be on AC Miner, the No. 5 overall pick in the last Draft, as she makes her much-awaited professional debut. The pressure of high expectations will be on the young middle blocker after fellow Ateneo De Manila University product and No. 4 pick Lyan de Guzman’s rousing start for unbeaten Nxled in Pool A.

Also under the microscope is ZUS Coffee’s No. 17 overall pick former National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Most Valuable Player Mycah Go and another rookie in Riza Nogales.

Head coach Jerry Yee expects nothing less from the Thunderbelle’s three new faces, with last year’s top overall pick Thea Gagate, unavailable due to her national team duties.

The Thunderbelles remain formidable behind grizzled veterans Jovelyn Gonzaga, Chai Troncoso, Kate Santiago, Gayle Pascual, Chinnie Arroyo, Fiola Ceballos and offseason acquisition in multi-awarded libero Alyssa Eroa.

The Chargers, on the other hand, want to arrest a back-to-back skid after bowing to Cignal, 23-25, 14-25, 23-25, and Creamline, 25-27, 25-22, 19-25, 18-25, in their opening assignments in Vigan, Ilocos Sur two weeks ago.

Grethcel Soltones, Ced Domingo, Eli Soyud, setter Camille Cal and Ivy Lacsina lead Akari’s third attempt to barge into the win column.

The Solar Spikers have a similar mission after getting swept by Creamline and Cignal in their first two outing.

It will be a tough task, however, as Capital1 will still miss the services of Alas Pilipinas players top overall rookie pick Bella Belen and sophomore Leila Cruz. Freshman Pia Abbu will have to step up to help holdovers Rovie Instrella, Trisha Genesis, Shola Alvarez, Jorelle Singh and playmaker Iris Tolenada.

The Solar Spikers face a Chery Tiggo side raring to showcase the additional firepower it acquired in the recent Draft in wingers Jyne Soreno, Erika Deloria, Reyann Canete and Renee Penafiel.

Veterans Ara Galang, Ces Robles, Shaya Adorador, Pauline Gaston and Aby Marano are back for the Crossovers while Angela Nunag and Karen Verdeflor are ready to fill the shoes left by Alas member Jen Nierva.