By Kristel Satumbaga
Games Today
(The Arena, San Juan City)
2 p.m. – Tacloban vs PayMaya
4 p.m. – Creamline vs PetroGazz
Powerhouse Creamline starts its title campaign today and hopefully on a high note as it battles the debuting PetroGazz side in the opening of the 2018 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.
Match is at 4 p.m. with the Cool Smashers looking cool and confident of their chances this time with the return of superstar Alyssa Valdez.
Clashing at 2 p.m. are Tacloban and PayMaya with both teams out to jumpstart their title bids in grand fashion.
The spotlight, however, is expected to fall on Valdez who played for the other club the last time. She also brought her act in Thailand and Taiwan.
Valdez is also looking for a grand reunion with former Ateneo teammate Jia Morado.
Beefing up Creamline are collegiate power hitters Jema Galanza and Risa Sato, as well as talented libero Melissa Gohing.
Serbian middle blocker Nikolina Asceric and Thai opposite spiker Kuttika Kaewpin also add strength to the squad.
PetroGazz, however, is unfazed having former La Salle and College of St. Benilde standouts on its roster.
Paneng Mercado, Wensh Tiu, Ranya Musa and Rachel Austero will lead the rookie club.
It also has Kai Nepomuceno, veteran setter Chie Saet and foreign reinforcements Anastasiia Trach and Kadi Kullerkann.
Meanwhile, three-time NCAA Most Valuable Player Grethcel Soltones leads PayMaya under coach Roger Gorayeb. Teaming up with Soltones are libero Tatan Pantone, setter Jasmine Nabor, Joyce Sta. Rita and guest players Tess Rountree and Shelby Sullivan.
Tacloban, under mentor Nes Pamilar, has Jovielyn Prado, Judith Abil, Shola Alvarez and Thai players Amporn Hyapha and Sasiwimol Sangpan.
Matches will be played on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.Other teams seeing action are BaliPure-NU, Iriga-Navy, BanKo-Perlas and defending champion Pocari Sweat-Air Force.
Women’s games will be aired live on ABS-CBN Sports + Action Channel 23 and via live stream, also the men’s matches, on www.sports.abs-cbn.com/livestream/.
