MANILA, Philippines — Expect a crazy, wide-open championship race from eight teams when the Philippine Superliga kicks off its 2020 Season with the Grand Prix conference on Feb. 29 at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
With reigning champion Petron undergoing a massive overhaul and all other teams fortifying their rosters, volleyball fans will be in for a wild ride according to the coaches themselves, who have issued strong beliefs that they can go all the way in this import-flavored tourney.
The Blaze Spikers took a major hit in the offseason, losing coach Shaq delos Santos and key cogs like Bernadeth Pons, Sisi Rondina, Mika Reyes and long-time setter Rhea Dimaculangan, leaving a huge window of opportunity for the rest of the Superliga pack.
Revamped teams like Generika-Ayala, with Dimaculangan now in its fold, Chery Tiggo with ex-Cignal hitter Mylene Paat and Delos Santos as assistant coach, and Sta. Lucia with star blocker Reyes have assured their readiness to contend.
Marinerang Pilipina and PLDT vowed to put up a gritty fight despite having quiet off-season moves heading into the PSL Grand Prix.
“Our mentality is to win that elusive championship,” said mentor Aaron Velez of Chery Tiggo, formerly known as Foton Tornadoes.
“Our team thirsts for victory. We’ll try our best to make the most of this opportunity and reach the finals,” added Sta. Lucia coach Eddieson Orcullo after their impressive silver medal finish in the PSL Super Cup earlier this month.
But while most of the teams improved their rosters, Cignal and F2 Logistics hardly tweaked their line-ups, banking on familiarity and chemistry to dethrone Petron this year.