Athletes Kaizen Dela Serna and Vanie Gandler banner the list of muses set to represent ball clubs in the PBA Season 48 opener on Sunday.
Dela Serna, winner of silver in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games 100-meter obstacle course women’s competition, will be with Meralco.
“With Kaizen, the Meralco Bolts proudly celebrate the unwavering commitment, passion, and resilience of Filipina athletes,” the Bolts said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Gandler, who plays for Cignal HD in the Premier Volleyball League, will join NLEX in the rites to be held at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“Her journey as a student-athlete at Ateneo and her continued success in the Premier Volleyball League serve as a testament to her dedication and the values that we hold dear in the PBA,” said Road Warriors governor Rod Franco.
The participation of both Dela Serna and Gandler marked the continuation of athletes being involved in PBA openers as muses. Both Meralco and NLEX are teams that have been active in exercising such practice for seasons now.
Back in Season 47, the Bolts went with multiple-time SEAG triathlon gold medalist Kim Mangrobang. The Season 45 curtain-raiser saw NLEX march with taekwondo star Pauline Lopez, a two-time SEAG champion.
Dela Serna and Gandler will be joining show business personalities in the much-awaited parade of teams, led by Heaven Peralejo (Barangay Ginebra), Julie Anne San Jose (Magnolia), and Atasha Muhlach (TNT Tropang Giga).
Beauty queens Herlene Budol (Blackwater) and Angel Santos (NorthPort) will also be gracing the ceremonies, together with internet figures Yskaela Fujimoto (Converge) and Yuki Takahashi (Phoenix Super LPG).
Also part of the parade are Franki Russel (San Miguel), Mary Jane Encabo and Jennelle Noblezada (Rain or Shine), and Saira Khan (Terrafirma).
Busy will be the November 5 festivities, which starts at 4 p.m. with the annual Leo Awards, where the best players of Season 47 will be feted.
Many are looking forward to the prestigious Leos, waiting to see who among June Mar Fajardo, Scottie Thompson, Christian Standhardinger, and CJ Perez will go home with the coveted Most Valuable Player award.
The opening ceremonies will begin at 5 p.m. before Magnolia and TNT usher the Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup at 7 p.m. in the lone game of the night.
