GRETHCEL Soltones opens a new chapter in her career, as the former NCAA MVP signed with Akari for the upcoming Premier Volleyball League season.

Soltones spent the past three PVL seasons with PetroGazz, where she was one of the vital cogs in the 2022 Reinforced Conference championship run.

A product of San Sebastian, Soltones also played a key part in the Angels’ runner-up finishes in the 2022 Open Conference and the 2023 First All-Filipino Conference.

The 28-year-old spiker from Catmon, Cebu is set to bolster the Chargers’ offensive core along with Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Faith Nisperos and Erika Raagas.

“More firepower and championship experience. Let’s light it up, Lady Beast!,” the club said, referring to Soltones’ monicker, through its social media accounts.

Cignal, meanwhile continued its offseason buildup as it acquired opposite spiker Jov Fernandez from the now defunct F2 Logistics club.

Fernandez played two conferences for the Cargo Movers before the team disbanded last month.

“As one of the more experienced teams dito sa PVL, sobrang swerte namin to get one of the youngest players in Jovelyn this year. Hopefully we can continue to develop her and help her reach yung full potential niya dito sa professional level,” said HD Spikers head coach Shaq Delos Santos.

A former Far Eastern University standout, Fernandez hopes to contribute for the HD Spikers, who boasts of Invitational Conference MVP Ces Molina and Vanie Gandler.

“Sobrang happy to be a part of this Cignal team, especially with how they finished strong in the last two conferences sa PVL. Looking forward din ako na matuto kay coach Shaq and sa ates ko na galing din sa FEU,” said Fernandez.

“I’m excited to learn new things and kung paano ko madadala sa next level yung laro ko through his help and with the whole coaching staff dito sa Cignal,” the UAAP Season 85 Best Opposite Spiker added.

The HD Spikers, however, have let go of Anngela Nunag and Bia General, leaving new signee Dawn Macandili-Catindig and long-time defensive specialist Jheck Dionela to handle libero duties.

Cignal has also released Jerrili Malabanan from their roster.

Several teams have already made key releases ahead of the upcoming 2024 season, which is set to open next month.

Choco Mucho has released opposite spiker Caitlyn Viray, who was coming off a breakout season under the guidance of Dante Alinsunurin.

With Kat Tolentino delivering the goods during the Flying Titans’ run to a second-place finish in the Second All-Filipino Conference, Viray’s court time however dwindled.

“It was a pleasure being a Titan,” Viray posted with a purple heart emoji on her Instagram account.

“Nothing but gratitude to my teammates, coaches and management. To everyone who believed and supported my journey as a Titan, thank you so much. On to the next.”

Meanwhile, PLDT has parted ways with backup setter Angelica Legacion and reliable open spikers Mean Mendrez and Mich Morente.

Legacion played significant minutes in the latter part of the Second All-Filipino Conference following Rhea Dimaculangan’s injury, while Mendrez and Morente saw their playing time dwindle with the arrival of Fil-Am spiker Savi Davison and the continued emergence of Erika Santos.