Games today (Saturday)

(Ynares Center, Montalban)

4 p.m. – Chery Tiggo vs Capital1

6:30 p.m. – ZUS Coffee vs Akari

Chery Tiggo and ZUS Coffee are all set to finally make their much-awaited debuts in the PVL On Tour, bringing rosters bolstered by highly touted rookie recruits as they clash with teams aiming to snap back from early setbacks in the pre-season opener in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

Adding excitement to the weekend slate is the newly built Ynares Center in Montalban, Rizal, which is hosting its first major volleyball event with organizers confident of a smooth and successful staging before an anticipated large crowd.

Ynares Center Montalban serves as the third out-of-town venue of this year’s PVL On Tour, following the successful stops in Vigan City and Batangas City last month. The Sports Vision-organized series will next head to the Capital Arena in Ilagan City on July 12-13, before returning to the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan. The City of Passi Arena in Iloilo will then take the spotlight from July 19-20, followed by the USJ-R Coliseum in Cebu City on July 26-27.

Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur is also set to host its third PVL event on July 29, featuring two marquee matchups – Choco Mucho vs. Petro Gazz, and Chery Tiggo vs. ZUS Coffee.

The remaining preliminary matches will alternate between the FilOil EcoOil Arena and the Philsports Arena.

After sitting out the first three weeks, both Chery Tiggo and ZUS Coffee are raring to make an impact. The Crossovers, the 2021 PVL Open Conference champions, take on the Capital1 Solar Spikers at 4 p.m., followed by the Thunderbelles’ showdown with the Akari Chargers at 6:30 p.m.

All four teams are in search of a momentum shift – Chery Tiggo and ZUS Coffee looking for a strong debut, while Capital1 and Akari seek redemption after back-to-back losses to Creamline and league-leading Cignal in Pool B.

Chery Tiggo will be without Alas Pilipinas standout Jen Nierva, but veterans Angela Nunag and Joahna Verdeflor are ready to step up. They’ll join an experienced core led by Ces Robles, Ara Galang, Shaya Adorador, Abi Maraño, Pauline Gaston, and Mary Rhose Dapol, along with middles Cza Carandang and Seth Rodriguez. Jasmine Nabor, Joyme Cagande, and Alina Bicar will share playmaking duties.

Rookies Reyann Canete and Erika Jin Deloria are also expected to make early impressions, taking inspiration from fellow newcomers like Nxled’s Lyann De Guzman, Galeries Tower’s Jean Asis, Choco Mucho’s Jen Villegas and Creamline’s Sheena Toring.

For Capital1, rookie Athena Abbu has shown flashes of brilliance, but the team will need more from veterans Trisha Genesis, Jorelle Singh, Shola Alvarez, Sydney Niegos, and Rovena Instrella to stay in contention in the pre-season tournament organized by Sports Vision.

ZUS Coffee will field No. 5 overall pick AC Miner – an Ateneo standout like De Guzman – along with Mycah Go from St. Benilde and UE’s Riza Nogales. Despite missing top rookie Thea Gagate, who is with Alas Pilipinas, the Thunderbelles still boast a potent lineup led by Chai Troncoso, Kate Santiago, Dolly Versoza, Gayle Pascual, Chinnie Arroyo and Fiola Ceballos.

The Chargers, meanwhile, are expected to come out retooled and refocused with Grethcel Soltones, Eli Soyud, Ivy Lacsina, Camille Victoria and Celine Domingo anchoring their campaign. They’ll be backed by promising rookies Chenie Tagaod, Jamaica Villena and Joan Doguna.

The action continues Sunday as the teams switch foes with Chery Tiggo taking on Akari at 4 p.m., and ZUS Coffee battling Capital1 at 6:30 p.m., also at the Ynares Center Montalban.