MANILA, Philippines - Pocari Sweat seeks a repeat with a loaded roster, Creamline tries to make an impact on its maiden season with an ace and Bali Pure hopes to mark its return with a bang when the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference kicks off on April 30 at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan City.
The Lady Warriors, backstopped by the power-hitting pair of Michelle Strizak and Edina Selimovic, start their title-retention drive against the Nes Pamilar-coached Power Smashers at 4 p.m.
Alyssa Valdez, fresh from a solid stint with 3BB Nakornont in the tough Thai League, has found a new team in the Creamline Cool Smashers, who will take on the Perlas Spikers, a group managed by Beach Volleyball Republic founders headed by Charo Soriano, in the main game at 6 p.m.
The Pure Water Defenders, for their part, will now be coached by Roger Gorayeb when they tangle with the Air Force Lady Jet Spikers, the Reinforced Conference runners-up, in the first match at 2 p.m.
Dino Laurena, ABS-CBN Integrated Sports head, said they will introduce a three-angle live-streaming coverage to give fans more choices to watch all the games.
Except for former skipper Michele Gumabao and Fil-Am Iris Tolenada, the Lady Warriors have kept the core of the team that reigned supreme in the Reinforced and Open Conferences last season.
They include Myla Pablo, Melissa Gohing, Elaine Kasilag, Deseree Dadang, Gyzel Sy and Shola Alvarez while adding former Ateneo star Fille Cainglet-Cayetano and NCAA Finals MVP Jeanette Panaga into the mix to fill in the spots left by Gumabao, who joined another league, and Tolenada, who flew back to the US for good.
Pocari coach Rommel Abella, meanwhile, said they are not feeling the pressure of being the defending champions.
“We’re just trying prepare the way we did last year and not think too much of being the defending champion,” said Abella.
Valdez is teaming up with American Laura Schaudt, Thai Kuttika Kaewpin, Pau Soriano, Janet Serafica and collegiate standouts Coleen Bravo and Jamela Suyat of Perpetual Help, San Beda’s Francesca Racracquin, Jonalyn Ibisa of Arellano U and veterans Ivy Remulla, Joyce Palad and Aerial Patongon, making Creamline a team to watch out for.
“I’m excited to play with my new teammates and we’re confident of our chances this conference,” said Valdez.
Gorayeb, on the other hand, has gathered his college players – Grethcel Soltones, Alyssa Eroa and Lizlee Ann Pantone from San Sebastian and Jorelle Singh, Risa Sato, Aiko Urdas and Jasmine Nabor from National U – to form the core of his Bali Pure squad.
“We’re also getting imports from the US and we’re looking to tap more local players to boost our chances,” said Gorayeb.
The Power Smashers, meantime, will be headed by Arellano U’s Jovelyn Prado and reinforced by Thais Amporn Hyapha and Kannika Thipachot while Air Force, handled by Jasper Jimenez, will be led by Wendy Semana, Jocemer Tapic, Iari Yongco and May Ann Pantino with Thai Patcharee Saengmuan as the lone reinforcement.
Perlas, on the other hand, took in Brazilian Rupia Inck and American Kaylee Manns as their imports while tapping former Ateneo stars Amy Ahomiro, Mae Tajima, Dzi Gervacio, Ella de Jesus and Jem Ferrer and acquiring Sue Roces and Sasa Devanadera from PLDT.