WITH the Premier Volleyball League’s commitment to creating a balanced and competitive environment, teams like Capital1 and Farm Fresh are setting their sights even higher, eager to improve upon their previous performances.
Meanwhile, ZUS Coffee and Galeries Tower are also poised to surprise fans, unveiling revamped rosters that could shake up the standings in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference, which unveils this Saturday (Nov. 9) at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
This guarantees thrilling matchups and a season of unexpected twists as each team vies for a stronger finish in the record six-month long conference.
After a commendable seventh-place finish in the Reinforced Conference, Capital1, under the guidance of head coach Roger Gorayeb, is ready to elevate its game with the Solar Spikers meticulously preparing to overcome the gap left by former import Marina Tushova.
The core players, including Rica Rivera, Leila Cruz, Julia Ipac and Jorelle Singh, have been working hard to fill this void by enhancing their scoring and defensive capabilities.
Fueled by a sense of responsibility and unity, Capital1 boasts of players committed to deliver top-notch performances. Their debut game on Nov. 12 against the Chery Tiggo Crossovers will be an opportunity to showcase their hard work, aiming to surpass their previous finish and become serious contenders in the league organized by Sports Vision.
“We’re excited to play and step up to fulfill the responsibilities that Marina left behind,” said Rica Rivera in Filipino, the Solar Spikers’ libero, speaking on behalf of her team at the All-Filipino Conference press launch last Monday.
“My teammates and I are working tirelessly to ensure we deliver great performances in this upcoming conference,” she added.
Meanwhile, Farm Fresh enters the upcoming season with bolstered hopes following an eighth-place finish in the last conference. The team has taken significant steps to strengthen its lineup, including the addition of notable players Jolina Dela Cruz and Lorene Toring, both of whom are now fit and eager to make a comeback.
With the appointment of former F2 Logistics coach Benson Bocboc, Farm Fresh has a new tactical approach in place, aimed at creating a more competitive and cohesive team.
The Foxies are so primed for growth and ready to make an impact in the tournament, supported by Arena Plus, Fabriano Appliances, Milcu, Watsons, iColor and Argan Beauty, Tapa King, Sport Radar, and Mikasa, starting on Nov. 16 when they mix it up with the Cignal HD Spikers at Ynares Center in Antipolo.
ZUS Coffee, on the other hand, is poised for a breakthrough season as the Thunderbelles aim to end their 19-game losing streak, a record that has been haunting them since their rebranding from the Gerflor Defenders.
With Thea Gagate, a towering 6-foot-2 middle blocker, at the helm, ZUS Coffee’s revamped lineup looks more promising than ever. The team has retained reliable players such as Michelle Gamit, Sharya Ancheta and Gayle Pascual, while adding seasoned veterans Jovelyn Gonzaga, Chai Troncoso, Kate Santiago, Chinnie Arroyo and Joan Narit.
Gagate’s presence is expected to inject both skill and confidence into the team, as they look forward to competing against the Akari Chargers on Nov. 14 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
For its part, Galeries Tower, after a challenging run in the previous conference, is ready for redemption.
With the inclusion of Julia Coronel, the promising third overall pick of the 2024 PVL Draft, the team’s offense is expected to be more dynamic and consistent. Alongside established players like Jewel Encarnacion, Graze Bombita and Alyssa Eroa, Coronel’s playmaking abilities could be the catalyst Galeries needs to close out tightly contested games.
Head coach Lerma Giron is confident in the team’s potential to address previous shortcomings and believes they are ready to surprise fans and rivals alike, starting with their first game against the Chargers on Nov. 9.
“Yes, of course. ‘Yung presence niya (Coronel) sa team, talagang na-boost ‘yung offense system namin,” said Giron. “Like what she (Coronel) said, talagang hindi rin biro ‘yung dinaanan naming nitong off-season. We tried to figure out what’s lacking in the team last season. But with Julia now in rotation, malaking bagay para sa team talaga to boost the offense of the team.”
With each team bringing unique strength and fresh energy, the stage is set for what promises to be a compelling and competitive season in the country’s premier women’s volley league. These enhanced lineups and determined outlooks reveal a strong commitment to improvement, leaving fans eager to see how these teams will fare in the league’s highly anticipated All-Filipino Conference.
