Best batch ever

The foreign players’ invasion of the Philippine Superliga (PSL) had begun.

Things kicked off shortly after the New Year after Stephanie Niemer and Katherine Bell announced that they are seeing action for Petron in the Grand Prix.

The entire volleyball community was shocked by the announcement.

Niemer, who dropped an incredible 17 aces in a club league in Greece, will be back to team up with Bell, who served as last-minute replacement to Hillary Hurley and who erupted for 42 points in Game 1 of the best-of-three finals.

Things kicked off shortly after the new year after Stephanie Niemer and Katherine Bell announced that they are seeing action for Petron in the Grand Prix

Sideliners believe that with Petron’s powerhouse local players who are fresh from clinching the All-Filipino title, winning the Grand Prix crown is very possible.

But Petron’s rival – F2 Logistics – will not go down without putting up a fight.

The Cargo Movers responded by recruiting Becky Perry, a former University of Washington star known for her explosive vertical and powerful attack, thanks to her exposure in beach volleyball where she made success campaigning in the Italian circuit.

A week later, a shocking twist happened.

Stalzer, the import who guided Petron to the title last year, crossed enemy line and will suit up for the Cargo Movers.

Inside stories have it that Stalzer is really eager to return to Petron to help them defend their crown.

But the Blaze Spikers took a different direction and reached an agreement with Niemer and Bell even with the All-Filipino Conference still ongoing.

It came as a shock to Stalzer, who is widely considered as the golden girl of the Grand Prix not just because of her looks but because of her prowess. She had seen action for Cignal, Foton and Petron in the past.

Like a woman scorned, Stalzer immediately grabbed the Cargo Movers’ offer, formally setting the stage for what could be an intense and dramatic encounter between two of the most successful clubs in the league.

But the Petron-F2 Logistics saga isn’t the only plot in the Grand Prix, which starts next month.

Generika-Ayala is also busy fortifying its camp as it hired power spiker Lisbet Arredondo Reyes of Cuba and middle blocker Kseniya Kocyigit of Azerbaijan.

For a team that has two of the best defenders in the league in libero Kath Arado and middle blocker Marivic Meneses, having Reyes and Kocyigit at the defensive end is a massive upgrade.

Arredondo Reyes was reportedly the first choice of Smart, which was then handled by Ronald Dulay.

But negotiations bogged down and Smart had to “settle” for her fellow Cuban national team member, Gyselle Silva who went on to become the best import the country ever saw after erupting for 56 points in an official ballgame.

Dulay, a former member of the national team coaching staff, is now the tactical coach of the Lifesavers. So, when they heard that Petron will be bringing in Niemer and Bell, he immediately suggested to hire Arredondo Perez, instead.

Kocyigit, on the other hand, also presents glowing credentials.

Generika-Ayala is also busy fortifying its fortress as it hired power spiker Lisbet Arredondo Reyes of Cuba and middle blocker Kseniya Kocyigit of Azerbaijan.

The 32-year-old blocker is a member of the Azerbaijan national team that campaigned in various tourneys around Europe, including the FIVB World Championships last year.

And at 6-foot-2, she is tipped to add height and heft to the relatively un-dersized – but explosive – Generika-Ayala wingers led by Patty Orendain, Angeli Araneta and Fiola Ceballos.

Another import to watch out for is American Erica Wilson, who will suit up for Cignal.

Wilson, a former Arizona State University star, is a fiery attacker who was personally picked by legendary coach and one-time Manila visitor Karch Kiraly for the FIVB Women’s U23 Championship in 2013.

Then, she started her career in the club league as she campaigned in top-tier leagues in Germany, Switzerland and Turkey.

Like Arredondo Reyes, she was also supposed to see action for Cignal last year.

But she had a change of heart, prompting head coach Edgar Barroga to tap another high-flying American in Jeanne Horton, who went on to win the hearts of Filipino fans.

Of course, Foton, the club who already has two Grand Prix crowns in its trophy room, also joined the race.

In fact, it is at the forefront of the battle after bringing in American Courtney Felinski and Turkish Selime Ilyasoglu as early as last Monday.

Felinski is a seasoned international campaigner who saw action in Spain, Germany, Switzerland and Finland while the 30-year-old Ilyasoglu played for Turkish powerhouse Eczacibasi and Galatasaray aside from being a member of the Team Turkey in various FIVB tournaments.

Smart, Cocolife and Sta. Lucia Realty have yet to make an announcement regarding their recruits.

But with the way things are going – and with the quality of foreign players listed – there’s no doubt that we are about to witness the best batch of imports ever to play here.