Though newcomers to the Premier Volleyball League, the arrival of the Gerflor Defenders has been a long time coming.
The team has been competing in leagues, including the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Champions League, before entering the country’s only professional league for women’s volleyball.
“We are very excited to finally be able to be part of the PVL,” said Gerflor team manager Jordan Tolentino.
“We have been organizing and joining several leagues which helped us prepare for the PVL, which we believe is the most prestigious league in the country. Being a part of the PVL is already an honor and an accomplishment for our volleyball club.”
In its first foray into club competition, the Defenders tapped veteran head coach Edgar Barroga.
Barroga was previously the head coach of Cignal and is the current head coach of National University Nazareth School’s boys’ volleyball team.
According to Barroga, the team’s practices heading to the tournament supported by BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, Mikasa, SMART, Rebisco, Kumu, Asics, and SportRadar has been intense with the player showing eagerness to prove that they belong.
“Makikita mo sa kanila ‘yung eagerness kung gaano sila gumalaw sa loob ng court, parang mga rookies pa sila,” Barroga told One Sports’ The Game.
“Excited kami na mai-apply namin sa tunay na laro ‘yung mga ginagawa namin.”
Veteran playmakers Fhen Emnas and Ivy Perez will be tasked to lead Gerflor, who is slotted in Group A along with defending Invitational Conference champion Creamline, Chery Tiggo, PLDT, and Akari.
Also part of the team are Barroga’s former HD Spikers players Ranya Musa and Rap Aguilar; Mina Aganon, Janine Navarro, Shannen Palec, Shannen Palec, Julia Angeles, Pia Sarmiento, Mary Esguerra, Andrea Marzan, AJ Jingco, Alyssa Bertolano, and Ethan Arce.
Gerflor will open its campaign against Creamline on Thursday, June 29 with the games airing on PVL.ph, One Sports, and One Sports+.
The games will also stream on Smart Livestream and Cignal Play.
“Our main goal is to showcase not only the talents of our players but to serve as an inspiration to every student-athlete and former pros. We want to show that opportunities will always be there for as long as they work hard to reach their dreams and ambitions,” said Tolentino.
