Games Today
(The Arena, San Juan City)
2 p.m. – Opening Ceremony
3 p.m. – Cocolife
vs Generika-Ayala
5 p.m. – Foton vs Cignal
7 p.m. – Petron vs Sta. Lucia
Newcomers Cocolife and Sta. Lucia get their feet wet today when they battle separate opponents at the start of the 2017 Philippine Superliga Invitational at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Cocolife Asset Managers square off with the Generika-Ayala Lifesavers at 3 p.m., while the Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors clash with the powerful Petron Blaze Spikers in the 7 p.m. nightcap of this conference which serves as the start of the PSL season.
Foton and Cignal also begin their respective title bids when they collide at 5 p.m.
Coached by NCAA champion mentor Obet Javier of Arellano, Cocolife is expected to parade its interesting lineup composed of former La Salle standout Michele Gumabao and Wenshu, as well as former Ateneo players Denden Lazaro and Therese Gaston.
The Asset Managers will have their hands full with Generika’s intimidating cast in Patty Orendain, Bia General, Fiola Ceballos, and Geneveve Casugod.
The girls of Sta. Lucia, meanwhile, hope to bring the company’s winning tradition with former NCAA standouts Jannine Navarro, Djanel Cheng and Danna Henson at the frontline of its attack.
But Petron, which has won three titles in the league, has veteran players in Rhea Dimaculangan, Aiza Pontillas and Ces Molina.
Former La Salle player Mika Reyes will also be suiting up to add to Petron’s strength after a stint with F2 Logistics last year.
“The team’s chemistry is already there. It’s just a matter of how we will prepare them against other steams, especially a young team like Sta. Lucia,” said Petron assistant coach Ian Fernandez.
Equally exciting is the Foton-Cignal matchup, with the Tornadoes showcasing three-time NCAA MVP Grethcel Soltones as their new recruit teaming up with Dindin Manabat, Maika Ortiz, Rubie De Leon, and Jen Reyes.
Cignal is not at all intimidated with its acquisition of Rachel Daquis, Royse Tubino, and Jovelyn Gonzaga from Army.