An explosive triple-header banners the return of the 2016 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix tomorrow at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Powerhouse Foton Tornadoes will continue their title-retention bid when they clashes with Generika at 3:00 pm, while F2 Logistics formally roll out the red carpet for their new import when they battle Cignal at 5:00 pm. Heavyweights RC Cola-Army and Petron face off in the 7:00 pm main offering.
With prolific import Stephanie Niemer doing damage, the Tri-Activ Spikers had gotten off to a blazing start, posting a pair of convincing wins over Generika and F2 Logistics before the league took a three-week break to give way to the country’s hosting of the 2016 FIVB Women’s Club World Championship last month.
Petron are on top of the team standings with a 2-0 record, while Foton and RC Cola-Army have an identical 1-0 slate. Generika and F2 Logistics are tied at the basement at 0-2, leaving Cignal as the only team yet to see action in the season-ending conference.
But the tempo of the tourney will completely change as the Cargo Movers parade their prized import Hayley Spelman, a 6-foot-7 opposite hitter who won a gold medal for United States in the NORCECA Women’s Juniors Continental Championship in 2008.
With Spelman finally on board, the Cargo Movers will be at full strength, considering the presence of fellow import Sydney Kemper and local stalwarts Mika Reyes, Ara Galang, Cha Cruz, Aby Marano, Dawn Macandili and Kim Fajardo. Fajardo and Reyes gained significant experience after competing against the best of the world in the FIVB battle two weeks ago.
On the other hand, the HD Spikers will debut their much-hyped roster led by Puerto Rican Lynda Morales, American Laura Schaudt, Filipino-American Shawna-Lei Santos, Mylene Paat and Lourdes Patillano as well as mainstays Micmic Laborte, Cherry Vivas and Jheck Dionela.
Cignal’s biggest recruits, however, are its open spikers.
Former Most Valuable Player Venus Bernal will be making her return, while Stephanie Mercado was recruited from the Cargo Movers, and Janine Marciano moved over from the Shakey’s V-League.
“I really like the composition of my team,” said Cignal head coach Sammy Acaylar.
“All of my players like Lynda, Micmic, Venus, Paneng and Jheck are leaders. They are all matured and hungry to win. I know good things are in store for us this conference.”
Also expected to draw a crowd is the battle between Foton and Generika.
Ace middle blocker Dindin Manabat is slowly nearing her former deadly form after giving birth the other month, while her sister, Jaja Santiago, will be marching back to the volleyball court after her successful campaigns in the AVC and FIVB tournaments.
Americans Lindsay Stalzer and Ariel Usher will be at the forefront of the attack, while Serbian Moro Branislav will be calling the shots for the Tornadoes, who are looking to win another title to qualify in the AVC Asian Women’s Club Championship in Chinese Taipei next year.
“All teams are strong. But I still see my club, Foton, winning the championship,” said Branislav, who is also banking on Rhea Dimaculangan, Maika Ortiz, Angeli Araneta, Sisi Rondina and EJ Laure.
