In what promises to be another monumental conference, the Philippine Superliga will parade a record eight teams when their flagship All-Flilipino Conference kicks off tomorrow at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Most notably, the league will be donating 50 percent of ticket receipts to the treatment of leukemia-stricken 2016 table tennis Olympian Ian Lariba.
Defending champions F2 Logistics Cargo Movers will again be powered by Ramil De Jesus’ fore of former and current De La Salle University Lady Spikers.
De Jesus, who recently won his tenth UAAP title, will bank on reigning All-Filipino MVP Dawn Macandili, National Team setter Kim Fajardo, UAAP Season 79 MVP Majoy Baron, Season 79 Finals MVP Desiree Cheng, and UAAP Season 78 Finals MVP Kianna Dy.
“Wala namang pressure sa amin. Very supportive ang management and alam naman namin na magiging mahirap ang competition this year kasi malalakas ang lahat ng teams. Kailangan namin maghanda,” said the longest-tenured UAAP volleyball coach.
F2 Logistics faces intense competition from revamped squads Petron Blaze Spikers and Cignal HD Spikers.
Petron added former Cargo Mover Mika Reyes along with UAAP stars Bernadeth Pons, Cherry Rondina, Remy Palma, and veteran setter Rhea Dimaculangan.
Cignal, on the other hand, managed their own coup picking up National Team mainstays Rachel Daquis and Jovelyn Gonzaga, and former Army winger Royse Tubino.
“Kailangan pa siguro namin ng jelling. Medyo matagal na din kami nagpre-prepare. Hopefully, we can start strong and finish stronger,” said Petron head coach Shaq Delos Santos.
“Lagi namang may expectations lalo na kapag ganitong kalakas ang team. Alam naman ng players ‘yun and mas alam nilang kailangan namin ng matinding paghahanda para makaabot sa goals namin,” thought Cignal head coach George Pascua.
Last year’s runners-up Foton, meanwhile, is in rebuilding mode as an injury to Dindin Manabat severely hampered their campaign.
They will still be led by Grand Prix MVP Jaja Santiago and UST ace Ej Laure.
Two-time fifth-placers Generika-Ayala Lifesavers will have National Team head coach Francis Vicente calling the shots while former FEU Lady Tamaraw Gen Casugod will be carrying most of the scoring load.
The PSL’s first two expansion teams of 2017, Cocolife and Sta. Lucia both beefed up their rosters.
The Asset Managers added the core of the Season 79 UST Tigresses and Fil-Am open hitter Cherylain Dizon. Sta. Lucia, on the hand, picked up two Fil-Am players in Souzan Raslan and Mar-Jana Philips.
Rounding out the competition are newcomers Cherrylume Iron Lady Warriors, a team composed of current and former UE Lady Warriors.
The tournament features a shorter format compared to past incarnations. The eight teams were split into two groups. Group A has the three powerhouses – F2 Logistics, Cignal, and Petron – along with Sta. Lucia while Group B parades Foton, Cherrylume, Generika, and Cocolife.
Tomorrow, Group B teams face off with Cocolife taking on Generika and Foton testing Cherrylume.
