The Shakey’s V-League will start arguably its biggest and most competitive Reinforced Conference in its 13 seasons. Eight teams, with some backed by imports, are vying for the league’s year-ender crown.
We take glimpse at each team’s initial lineup heading into opening day, October 1, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Bureau of Customs Transformers
Kuthaisong, Kanjana
Valdez, Alyssa
Canstañeda, Michiko
Corpuz, Jhona
Ibisa, Jonalyn
Tubiera, Menchie
Emnas, Fenela
Madapat, Rizza
Mabbayad, Lilet
Jaisen, Natthanicha
Marzan, Andrea
Llagoso, Marlyn
Head coach: Meneses, Sherwin
A part of the government department’s effort to rehabilitate its public image, the much-talked about Bureau of Customs are touting one of the most successful athletes in SVL history, Alyssa Valdez, along with two promising Thai imports Natthanicha Jaisen and Kanjana Kuthaisong.
Returning from more than a year away from volleyball is Arellano University’s Menchie Tubiera, who forms BOC’s entourage of locals with Rizza Mandapat and Lilet Mabbayad.
Any team with the Phenom Alyssa Valdez and two imports will surely make an impact, but it remains to be seen if the team can build chemistry in a short period of preparation.
Coast Guard Lady Dolphins
Madulid, Roxane Pearl
Cecilio, Sheila Marie
Querijero, Ma. Melissa
Mea, Hazel
Tabion, Ericka Klarissa
Necesito, Ann Perciville
Maderazo, Christine Jane
Loren, Maureen
Malimban, Rs Nickole
Caraan, Nicahella
Castoe, Ronnalie Dawn
Arceo, Jessica
Eniong, Shallane
Ogana, Melissa Kamille
Malapit, Grenlen
Head coach: Odron, Gilbert
The Lady Dolphins last appeared in the SVL after an unsuccessful run in the 2015 Open Conference where they failed to make it past the first round.
With a revamped lineup, Coast Guard is looking to defend their turf with an all-Filipino setup.
Laoag City Power Smashers
Soltones, Grethcel
Saet, Relea Ferina
Prado, Jovelyn
Galanza, Jessica
Galang, Eunice
Eulalio, Weneth
Villegas, Catherine
Sta. Rita, Joyce
Gillego, Charlene
Magsumbol, Kathlene
Eroa, Alyssa
Singh, Jorelle
Urdas, Aiko Sweet
Head coach: Nes Pamilar
If anything, the Power Smashers will live up to their monicker after having added some of the strongest local hitters.
Laoag added 2016 Open Conference MVP Grethcel Soltones and two pieces from National U’s run to the Collegiate Conference title, Jorelle Singh and Aiko Urdas. Together with Laoag’s leading scorer in the open conference, Jema Galanza, the Power Smashers have a deep rotation of wingers.
With a mix of veterans and youngsters at the setter and middle positions, Laoag will have to work hard to power through their import-powered fellow contenders.
Air Force Jet Spikers
Crisostomo, Mae
Jozza, Cabalsa
Pantino, May Ann
Yongco, Iari
Semana, Wendy Ann
Manzano, Jennifer
Palomata, Dell
Papa, Yna Louise
Caballejo, Judy Ann
Cases, Joy Gazelle
Balmaceda, Mary Ann
Abanto, Camille
Antipuesto, Angel Mae
Tapic, Jocemer
Head coach: Jimenez, Jasper
The Open Conference silver medalists are one of the teams that will sport an all-Filipino lineup.
The core of their Open Conference lineup is back, with Best Setter Wendy Semana calling the shots alongside veterans Judy Caballejo, Joy Cases, and Jocemer Tapic.
The Jet Spikers are looking to get a boost from key addition Del Palomata, who played just half of Air Force’s matches in the Open Conference due to her academic commitments.
University of the Philippines Lady Maroons
Pablo, Iola Mia
Basarte, Mae Angeli
Layug, Maristela Genn
Thai, Joseah
Sandoval, Caryl
Chopitea, Sheena Mae
Bersola, Katherine Adrielle
Ramos, Jessma Clarice
Molde, Maria Lina Isabel
Buitre, Marian Alisa
Gaiser, Princess Ira
Dorog, Justine
Gannaban, Aiesha Laine
Romero, April Joy
Cailing, Rose Mary
Estrañero, Ma. Arielle
Carlos, Diana Mae
Tiamzon, Nicole Anne
Mhoobin, Sinitra
Rueangrum, Paweenut
Head coach: Yee, Jerry
Last season, the Lady Maroons made their breakthrough in the Reinforced Conference, clinching their first Final Four spot since joining the SVL. That run paved the way for subsequent Top Four finishes in UAAP Season 78 and the SVL Collegiate Conference.
UP are again looking to get a lift from a satisfactory performance in the Reinforced Conference heading into the UAAP Season 79. The Lady Maroons are looking to field their same core lineup, anchored by veterans Kathy Bersola and Nicole Tiamzon, with sophomores Isa Molde and Tots Carlos.
But to relieve some of the load from their student-athletes, UP brought over Thai imports Sinitra Mhoobin and Paweenut Rueangrum.
Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors
Enclona, Rica Jane
Espelita, Sarah Jane
Kacsits, Andrea Kay
Gohing, Melissa
Mackie, Breanne Lee
Gumabao, Michele Theresa
Nepomuceno, Maricar
Kasilag, Elaine
Tolenada, Iris Janelle
Sy, Gyzel
Dadang, Siemens Desiree
Alkuino, Maria Erika Gel
Pablo, Myla
Head coach: Abella, Rommel
The reigning Open Conference champs will look to make it two for two in the Shakey’s V-League as they enter the Reinforced Conference the heavy favorites.
The Lady Warriors retained their entire seven-woman rotation from last conference and added decorated American imports Andrea Kacsits and Bre Mackie. 2015 PSL Draft top overall pick setter Iris Tolenada will also make her return to the franchise that drafted her.
Pocari have also started their training earlier than most teams, so look for the Lady Warriors to come out of the gates sprinting.
University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses
Hachero, Renalyn
Rivera, Rica
Cortez, Chlodia
Viray, Caitlin
Sandoval, Carla
Lastimosa, Pamela
Bicar, Alina
Pacres, Mary Dominique
Laure, Ennajie
Cabanos, Alexine
Rasmo, Patricia
Francisco, Christine
Rondina, Cherry Anne
Palec, Shannen
Meneses, Marivic
Head coach: Reyes, Emilio “Kungfu”
With a mandate from UST’s IPEA office to focus on the preparation for UAAP, the Tigresses will bring out all their heavy weaponry in their first-ever Reinforced Conference campaign.
While the Collegiate Conference might have seen UST’s younger and Team B players on the roster, Kungfu Reyes will use the players that will most likely comprise UST’s Season 79 lineup. UST will also welcome back team captain Pam Lastimosa, who had torn her ACL prior to UAAP Season 78.
With their players gathering experience from multiple club tournaments, the Tigresses will look to gel ahead of the Collegiate wars.
Bali Pure Purest Water Defenders
Devanadera, Rysabelle
Roces, Suzanne
Tajima, Mary Mae
Manns, Kaylee
Morrell, Katherine
De Jesus, Jorella
Gervacio, Angeline
Ferrer, Jamenea
Lazaro, Dennise
Soriano, Maria Rosario
Ahomiro, Rongomaipapa Amy
Tan, Maria Beatriz
Head coach: Bundit, Anusorn
The Open Conference’s third placers will sport a brand new flavor as their two leading scorers Alyssa Valdez and Grethcel Soltones have jumped ship.
To take their place, Bali Pure added SVL veteran Sue Roces; San Sebastian legend Sasa Devanadera; and two American imports Kaylee Manns and Katherine Morrell.
The Purest Water Defenders will also look to get a boost from the addition of head coach Tai Bundit, who is familiar with most of the Ateneans on the roster.
