Opening salvo: Creamline, Akari light up PVL inaugurals
ALYSSA Valdez and defending champion Creamline put their bid in motion against Akari as the PVL All-Filipino Conference kicks off Saturday at the SM Seaside Cebu Arena.
Photograph courtesy of PVL
Games today:
(SM Seaside Cebu Arena)
1 p.m. — Capital1 vs Choco Mucho
3:30 p.m. — Alpha Insurance vs Savouge
6 p.m. — Creamline vs Akari
CEBU CITY — An explosive opening day spectacle in the Premier Volleyball League’s (PVL) 10th anniversary is set kickoff the first of three series of tournaments in store for the All-Filipino Conference.
All roads lead to SM Seaside Cebu Arena in a special triple-header where Spiker’s Turf competition will be given its due spotlight in between two exciting PVL matches.
Defending champion Creamline begins its journey for a 12th title against a very dangerous Akari side at 6 p.m.
The Cool Smashers will parade a full arsenal with the return of main setter Jia Morado-de Guzman and beach volleyball ace Bernadeth Pons following their tour of duty in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Creamline is coming into the conference with a chip on its shoulder after missing the podium in the season-opening Invitationals despite tapping the services of 6-foot-5 former Most Valuable Player Jaja Santiago-Minowa.
“Everyone is very encouraged and hardworking to have a better showing this conference. Although we know it’s not going to be easy again, but at least we get to try again,” De Guzman said.
The Cool Smashers will get to flex their vaunted firepower in front of Cebuano fans with veterans Alyssa Valdez, Jema Galanza, Tots Carlos, Pangs Panaga, Michele Gumabao, veteran libero Kyla Atienza and backup playmaker Kyle Negrito leading the way for the star-studded club of head coach Sherwin Meneses.
Looking to take advantage of its chemistry and familiarity, the Chargers opted to keep its lineup intact.
Alas Pilipinas setter Mars Alba and libero Justine Jazareno are also back for Akari, which parades a much healthier Faith Nisperos, Ivy Lacsina, Grethcel Soltones, Fifi Sharma, Eli Soyud, Chenie Tagaod and Ced Domingo.
Meanwhile, a shored up Capital1 is ready to shock the field starting with the crowd-darling Choco Mucho led by Cebuana spitfire Sisi Rondina in the curtain-raiser at 1 p.m.
The Solar Spikers went all-in during the break, surrounding star Bella Belen with a collection of marquee acquisitions headlined by former league MVPs Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos, both from Cignal, and veteran setter Jaja Maraguinot.
Capital1 also landed rookie libero Detdet Pepito, the No. 2 overall pick in the recent PVL Draft, and ninth overall pick Khy Cepada, further deepening a roster that now looms as a serious contender.
To maximize the potential of its Belen-Gandler-Santos combination, the Solar Spikers also brought in former Galeries Tower ace setter Julia Coronel, adding another key piece to an ambitious overhaul.
Belen, also a member of the Alas squad that finished ninth in the Asiad, is tempering expectations especially that the club is still in the process of building chemistry.
“I think the expectation is there since we’re able to acquire skillful players. And I believe, we need to perform and do our best,” Belen said.
“We have our own expectations for our team. We know we have a huge chance to win games so I believe our team is capable,” she added.
Rondina, meanwhile, rejoins the squad after a long layoff to concentrate on her partnership with Pons in beach volleyball.
Also back is Eya Laure following her Asiad indoor volleyball stint. The Flying Titans added Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Jewel Encarnacion and Ivy Perez to their roster.
Cebuana Deana Wong, rookie setter Tin Ubaldo, Kat Tolentino, Isa Molde, Maddie Madayag, Des Cheng and Dindin Santiago-Manabat make up Choco Mucho’s formidable lineup.
On the other hand, league organizer Sports Vision has provided the Spiker’s Turf a bigger stage and a chance to reach a wider audience as it continues to build momentum and grow the sport.
For fans, it means more of the country’s best volleyball talent in a single trip to the arena.
Cebuanos will be among the first to experience the new game-day setup with Alpha Insurance and Savouge clashing in the 3:30 p.m. schedule.
The arrangement also gives Spikers’ Turf teams an opportunity to perform before larger crowds, allowing their players to showcase their talent and skills to fans who may not regularly follow the men’s league.