The Premier Volleyball League unveils its eighth season today (Tuesday, Feb. 20) with a pair of exciting matches featuring seasoned teams raring to flaunt their strength and newcomers looking to impress at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Petro Gazz, a two-time Reinforced Conference champion, tangles with Strong Group at 4 p.m. with the Angels aiming to build on their recent triumph in the Champions’ League.
Myla Pablo and MJ Phillips’ return, along with the addition of Fil-Am hitter Brooke Van Sickle, fortifies the Angels’ roster, making them formidable contenders against the Strong Group Athletics, led by skipper Dolly Verzosa and veteran setter Vira Gillema.
Strong Group took over the Gerflor franchise while the Capital1 Solar Spikers filled in the spot left by F2 Logistics.
“For me, I just want to be as consistent as possible. I think that will hopefully be my role. I want to be there for my teammates,” said Van Sickle, who joined the team last month.
“They have my back; I want to be able to have their backs and the chemistry that we’re already building, and the relationships that we’re building,” she added.
Chery Tiggo, the 2021 Open Conference champion, has also bolstered its lineup with key acquisitions, including former F2 Logistics stalwarts Ara Galang and Aby Maraño, who with mainstays Mylene Paat, Shaya Adorador, Cess Robles and sisters EJ and Eya Laure are expected to impose their power and class against the Capital1 Solar Spikers in their 6 p.m. clash.
But the Capital1 Solar Spikers are determined under multi-titled coach Roger Gorayeb. The team, owned by sisters Mandy and Milka Romero, features a blend of experienced players and rising starts ready for the challenge.
“I do not promise na malaking-malaki kaagad. We’ll do it slowly. Basta lang ayokong magsalita ng tapos. They took me in based on my experience, yung track record ko, gagamitin ko yun,” said Gorayeb.
Team captain Jorelle Singh, Des Clemente, Heather Guino-o, Jannine Navarro, Arianne Layug and Janeca Lana will spearhead Capital1’s bid with support to come from Rovee Instrella, Renesa Melgar, Kath Villegas, Shyra Umandal, Lourdes Clemente and Sydney Niegos.
“This will be a good opportunity for them to shine and be recognized, so we are giving our all-out support to the team,” said Mandy Romero.
The Romeros are aware of the challenging task ahead but they are ready to go through the process.
“We are not in a hurry, we take it one step at a time until we build a winning culture. That’s our goal,” said Milka Romero.
The tournament format involves a single round robin among 12 teams with the top four advancing to the semis, another round-robin phase. The top two teams dispute the championship in a best-of-three series.
Fans can catch the action on free-to-air on One Sports, in HD on One Sports+, as well as on the PVL’s official website (pvl.ph) and the Pilipinas Live app. Global coverage includes the new free-to-air channel – RPTV.
Meanwhile, PLDT and Galeries Tower clash at 3 p.m. while Choco Mucho tangles with Nxled at 5 p.m. in the second playdate on Thursday (Feb. 22) at the Filoil EcoOil Arena in Pasig.
Creamline, winner of last year’s two AFC titles, launches its drive for an eighth league championship against Farm Fresh at 6 p.m. on Saturday (Feb. 24) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in the first triple-bill that also features the Chery Tiggo-Strong Group clash at 2 p.m., and the Cignal-Akari duel at 4 p.m.
