Volleyball superstars vie in Superliga’s crown jewel

MANILA, Philippines — Stars and superstars brace for a battle royale for the crown jewel of the Philippine Superliga as the All Filipino Conference unfurls on Oct. 30.

“Lahat naman ng teams ay team to beat,” said veteran coach Roger Gorayeb, who’s returning to the PSL to call the shots for the revamped Smart Giga Hitters. “Nagpa-practice lahat yan; wala kang itatapon, kailangan talaga paghandaan lahat ng teams.”

“Underdogs kami pero gusto naming ipakita yung progression, yung improvement ng team namin,” said Cignal HD Spikers’ ace Rachel Ann Daquis.

Petron Blaze Spikers stake their AFC diadem against rival F2 Logistics, their conqueror in the last Invitational Conference, Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors, Generika-Ayala Lifesavers, Cocolife Asset Managers, Foton Tornadoes Blue Energy, Smart and Cignal.

“I believe this tournament is a wide open race. There’s no clear-cut favorite and no assurance of easy games,” said Petron ace Mika Reyes. “We have to be at our best every game.”

In an effort to fortify their ranks and rebound from their runner-up finish to F2 in the preceding tournament, the Blaze Spikers tapped veteran Ging Balse to join forces with Reyes, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Rhea Dimaculangan, Sisi Rondina and Ces Molina.

“Hindi naman kami pressured (to defend the crown). Talagang pinaghahandaan namin ito and we’re happy nadagdagan kami ng isang veteran player (Balse),” said Molina.

The Cargo Movers parade national team mainstays Aby Maraño, Kim Fajardo, Majoy Baron, Dawn Macandili and Cha Cruz Behag and Invitational MVP Ara Galang in their bid for back-to-back titles this year. 

Elsewhere, Royse Tubino returns to help Daquis and vastly improved Mylene Paat at Cignal while Grethcel Soltones, Jasmine Nabor, Aiko Urdas and Jerilli Malabanan carry the fight for souped-up Smart.

 Fil-Am recruit Kalei Mau bolsters Denden Lazaro and Cocolife; Maika Ortiz, CJ Rosario, Ivy Perez and Bea de Leon take the cudgels for a Foton team that misses Jaja and Dindin Santiago, who are currently playing in Japan.

Hostilities kick off Tuesday at the Filoil Flying V Center with Smart and Sta. Lucia taking the court first. Petron launches its title defense against Cocolife and F2 plays Cignal in the nightcap.