MANILA, Philippines – Two months after her La Salle team lost to bitter rival Ateneo in the UAAP finals, Aby Marano seeks some sort of redemption when she tries to lead expansion team Air Asia to a good showing in the Philippine Super Liga 2014 unfolding this Friday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Marano never mentioned anything about the heartbreaking UAAP defeat she experienced last March, but it was obvious by the way she spoke how determined this year's second overall draft pick is come tournament time.
"We've been training really well and our cohesion as a team is getting better," said Marano, who has an AB Phl Mass Media degree at La Salle.
And familiarity and chemistry will not be problem since Marano has reunited with her La Salle team and coach Ramil de Jesus, who will comprise the Mikee Romero-owned franchise that will be governed by Erick Arejola.
"There is no problem with chemistry in our team. We've been together for years now," said Marano.
Marano and the rest of the Air Asia Flying Spikers will debut against an equally packed Cagayan Valley Rising Sun in the opener.
"Every game for us will be a tough game because I see this tournament is a wide open race," he said.
Meanwhile, Solar Sports will broadcast PSL games, according to its marketing director Martin David.
"For the past three conferences, the sport has been steadily growing in popularity and we're proud to be a broadcast partner of the league that is starting to create a professional path for the most promising players from the collegiate and non-professional ranks," said David.
Aside from Air Asia and Cagayan, Cignal, Generika-Phl Army, PLDT Home TVolution, Petron Blaze and RC Cola-Air Force are the other teams in the women's division while the men's side will be composed of Cignal, Instituto Estetico, PLDT-Air Force, Pocari Sweat and Systema Tooth and Gum Care.
The league is organized by Sports Core and will be aired live on cable channel at Solar Sports on Sky Cable (Ch. 70), Destiny Cable (Ch. 35), Cignal (Ch. 55) and Cablelink (Ch. 58.).