While coaches have fixed their sights on the ultimate prize, they all agree it will be a grind-out battle in pursuit of the coveted berths in the championship.
The Premier Volleyball League kicks off its season-ending All-Filipino Conference Sunday, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with half of the record 12 teams eager to make a mark and show their mettle in what promises to be the biggest-ever tournament in the country’s premier women’s league in terms of participation and quality of play.
Anticipation does run high among players and fans alike with the coaches under no illusions about the challenges that lie ahead, recognizing that the journey will be grueling, one that will demand determination, skill and teamwork.
For these teams, the All-Filipino isn’t just a series of matches but a testament to the hard work and dedication they have put in during the break. Players have sharpened their skills, reinforced their team work and prepared mentally and physically to reach their desired competitive abilities.
“For us, we always focus on every game, not just on the finals. We prepare hard for every game so hopefully, the outcome will be good for us,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses, whose wards will open their title-retention drive against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the 7 p.m. nightcap of an explosive triple-bill tomorrow.
“We are ready to play any team,” he added.
The Cool Smashers turned back the Petro Gazz Angels in sudden death last March to keep the crown in the league’s centerpiece tournament organized by Sports Vision.
While ace setter Jia de Guzman won’t be around after linking up with the Japan league, the Cool Smashers remain the marked team with a loaded roster headed by Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza and Ced Domingo with Kyle Negrito taking over the playmaking chores.
But the rest are all fired-up to stop the crowd favorites, including the Angels, who will be bannered by Grethcel Soltones, Jonah Sabete, Nicole Tiamzon, Remy Palma and Aiza Pontillas.
“We’ll do our best to reach the finals,” said Petro Gazz assistant mentor Vince Mangulabnan.
PLDT, meanwhile, expects to figure prominently with a roster beefed up by Fil-Canadian hitter Savannah Davison and anchored by the likes of Mika Reyes, Mean Mendrez, Jules Samonte, Michelle Morente, Rhea Dimaculangan and Dell Palomata.
“Lahat pwede (mag-contend), pero mabigat yung sa defending champions ng All-Filipino. Creamline at Petro Gazz. But we’re all excited to go up against them and we hope to enjoy the games and finish the tournament free of any injuries,” said Petro Gazz coach Rald Ricafort.
“Lahat naman gustong umabot sa finals. So it doesn’t matter din kung sinong makatapat mo basta mag-finals ka,” said F2 Logistics mentor Regine Diego, who boasts of aces in Aby Maraño, Ivy Lacsina, Kim Dy, Myla Pablo and Majoy Baron. “I think this is going to be a very competitive conference and it’s going to be fun but stressful.”
“Goal naman ng lahat ang championship. To be honest, isa na kami dun but for the meantime ang focus muna namin is yung first game. Hopefully yung naging preparation namin maging enough knowing na lahat ng teams nag-prepare talaga and naging ready,” said Cignal coach Shaq delos Santos, who will pin his hopes on Rachel Anne Daquis, Ces Molina, Jovelyn Gonzaga and Roselyn Doria, among others.
Kami naman, iniisip ko lang yung team namin kung paano makakapasok sa finals kasi kailangan naming pagtrabahuhan every game eh. Kung sino ‘man yung… kung palarin ‘man kami makapasok sa finals, siguro laban pa rin kami kung ano yung magiging resulta,” said Choco Much mentor Dante Alinsunurin, whose squad is led by the energetic Sisi Rondina, Kat Toletino, Bea de Leon, Maddie Madayag, Caitlin Viray and Des Cheng.
“Kami naman sa Chery Tiggo, target namin talaga talunin namin sila lahat. Pero kung hindi mangyayari yun, babawi na lang ulit kami next time. Kaya naman kami nagpi-prepare para manalo so that’s why we are Chery on top,” said Kung Fu Reyes of the Crossovers, to be led by Mylene Paat, sisters EJ and Eya Laure, Cza Carandang, Ponggay Gaston and Imee Hernandez.
“Of course lahat gusto nandon sa finals pero one game at a time sa team namin dahil bagong-bago so focus muna kami one game at a time then eventually pag maganda performance, we will gain experience and eventually darating din tayo doon,” said coach Lerma Giron of newcomer Galeries, to be spearheaded by Norielle Ipac, Roma Doromal, setter Fhen Emnas and libero Julia Angeles.
“It’s hypocrite naman na sabihin na gusto nating mag-participate lang. Siyempre everybody wants to win. We have to take it one step at a time and gusto lang namin sa Gerflor mag-enjoy lang kami muna as of now pero pag nabigyan kami ng pagkakataon humakbang, hahakbang kami,” said Gerflor mentor Sammy Acaylar.
The new-look Defenders will be headed by Mary Grace Berte, Sarah Jane Gonzales, Danika Gendrauli, Jhona Rosal, Mary Jingco and Lhara Clavano.
“So kami, ang gusto namin hopefully lumabas yung laro namin. Mabigyan ng magandang games yung mga teams dito,” said Farm Fresh coach Jerry Yee, who beefed up his line up with the addition of star playmaker Louie Romero and blocker Rizza Cruz.
“Of course, just like all the coaches here we want to win but we have to learn how to do that and hopefully my team, we as a team, can grow and get all the improvements we have in the training. I’m very excited. You know why? Because the competition is different than before. We can play against all the teams and I hope in the future we can play twice,” said Akari coach Jorge Souza de Brito, whose wards include Michelle Cobb, Krich Macaslang, Janine Marciano, Jaja Maraguinot and Dani Ravena.
“This is the best time that we can really see all the players and coaches working a lot and it would be good for the fans so my goal for this is maybe we can.. We’re putting the seeds to make the best of us and bring the best (out) of the players always so our goal is to of course be on the top but we respect all the guys here but we need to fight, it’s a good fight,” added de Brito.
“Our goal is to win. But I don’t assume that every time, every game, we will have a chance to win. But it doesn’t matter who the opponent is,” said coach Taka Minowa of the league’s other new team Nxled.
Gerflor and Nxled will usher in hostilities at 3 p.m. tomorrow to be followed by the 5 p.m. duel between Cignal and PLDT.
Except for the Sunday opening, playdates are held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, according to the organizing Sports Vision.