Bacoor City—Heavyweights F2 Logistics and Chery Tiggo launch their respective title quest when they tackle separate foes in an explosive triple-header of the Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix Tuesday at the Bacoor Strike Gym here.
After falling short of winning the title the past couple of years, the Cargo Movers start their quest when they face dangerous PLDT Home Fibs at 5 p.m. while the Crossovers battle a retooled Marinerang Pilipina squad in the 7 p.m nightcap of this prestigious women’s club league bankrolled by Cocolife, Sogo, Eurotel, Sweet and Fit Stevia, UCPB Gen, Team Rebel Sports and Bizooku.
Prior to that, Generika-Ayala hunts its first win as it collides with Cignal in the 3 p.m. opener of this tourney that also has Gerflor, Senoh, Asics, Mikasa and Mueller Sports as technical partners.
F2 Logistics, a team that ruled this import-laced conference in 2017, as suddenly relegated into a bridesmaid after Petron, behind the prowess of Katherine Bell and its star-studded local crew, dominated the past two editions of the Grand Prix.
But a lot of things in the off-season as Petron lost its core of Mika Reyes, Denden Lazaro, Rhea Dimaculangan and Chloe Cortez while F2 Logistics confirmed the return of import Lindsay Stalzer and Filipino-American spiker Kalei Mau as well as the services of Aby Maraño, Kianna Dy, Kim Fajardo, Dawn Macandili and newly-crowned PSL ambassadress Majoy Baron.
The Cargo Movers are marching to the season as a heavily-favored squad and a impressive win in their first match would definitely validate that claim.
“Kalei is a super good addition to the team. I love having her around. She brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm and power to the practices and of course, she’ll bring it to the game,” said Stalzer, who is looking forward to her first partnership with the former Arizona standout.
“She’s also very good at just being communicative with all the players. She really brings everyone together, making everyone comfortable with each other.”
PLDT would be banking on the return of seasoned head coach Roger Gorayeb, who missed more than half of the conference last year after undergoing surgery.
Gorayeb’s return, however, was spoiled by the Power Hitters’ 24-26, 23-25, 27-29 loss to Sta. Lucia in the opener over the weekend as Canadian Shainah Joseph erupted with 23 points while new player Mika Reyes nailed five blocks for 10 points.
Chery Tiggo, meanwhile, parades its new core bannered by Mylene Paat, Jasmine Nabor, Rachel Austero, Joy Dacoron, Janine Navarro and import Tatjana Bokan.
Crossovers coach Aaron Velez has high hopes on his wards as they are hungry to end a four-year title drought in Grand Prix.
“We want to grab that elusive championship. Who is more determined and hungrier have the capacity to get that championship,” Velez said.
Marinerang Pilipina, on the other hand, has yet to win in 21 games since it joined last All-Filipino Conference.
Croatian import Hana Cutura and new recruit Coleen Bravo try to deliver the team’s first win.
