PVL stars take centerstage
PLDT Home Fibr and United Auctioneers-Army collide, while Cignal tests newcomer Akari’s mettle today as the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference kicks off today at the Santa Rosa Multipurpose Sports Complex.
After three years, the imports are back to give spice to the tournament, where Creamline is gunning to complete a season sweep of championships.
Elena Savkina-Samoilenko, the 6-foot-4 outside spiker from Russia who last played for Mersin B.Sehir Bld in Turkey, hopes to be what the High Speed Hitters needed to provide additional offense which was sorely lacking in the first two conferences.
The Lady Troopers, on the other hand, will have Laura Condotta, the 5-foot-11 outside hitter who represented Canada in local and international beach volleyball tournaments.
PLDT and Army size it up at 2:30 p.m.
Handled by Brazilian coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito, the Chargers seek to have an immediate impact in their maiden foray in the pro league behind Prisilla Rivera, the 6-foot-1 outside spiker from Dominican Republic who is also a three-time Olympian.
“Right now, I’m very honored to be part of the league. It’s a challenge for us and also for the players. We’re going to do our best and try to spring some surprises,” said De Brito.
Determined to rebound from the back-to-back heartaches of not making it to the PVL’s biggest stage. the HD Spikers have acquired Tai Bierria, the 6-foot-1 opposite spiker from the United States, who played for Memphis University and New Mexico University before flying to Finland to start her international career.
Akari and Cignal take the floor at 5:30 p.m.
The nine teams will play in the single-round eliminations, where the top four sides will advance to the semifinals, another single round robin format with the top two dispute the crown in the best-of-five finals.
After missing the Invitationals, F2 Logistics returns with its reliable reinforcement Lindsay Stalzer and Kalei Mau in tow.
Completing the cast are Petro Gazz, the league’s most recent Reinforced Conference champions, Choco Mucho and Chery Tiggo.
