By NIKOLE JAVIER
Creamline begins its title defense against an all-time high of 10 local opponents and two foreign squads in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference which opens shop Tuesday, June 27, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Volleyball fans are expected to come in droves as Alyssa Valdez, the face of Creamline for years, will be back after a long recovery period from a knee injury she sustained in December last year.
Whether Valdez is now in top form will be known when the Cool Smashers collide with the Chery Tiggo Crossovers at 6:30 p.m. which is the highlight of the league’s triple header.
While Valdez enjoys a formidable support cast in last conference MVP Jia de Guzman, Jema Galanza, Tots Carlos and Ced Domingo, the Crossovers are no patsies either.
That’s because they have in their lineup former collegiate standouts in Eya Laure and Imee Hernandez of the UST Golden Tigresses, NU’s libero Jen Nierva, Cess Robles and Joyme Cagande.
Clashing in the opening game at 1:30 p.m. are F2 Logistics and newcomer Farm Fresh in Pool B, while Cignal faces Petro Gazz at 4 p.m.
The Cargo Movers also have a new promising batch of rookies in La Salle’s Jolina dela Cruz and Mars Alba, who are both expected to add firepower in the All-Filipino bronze medalists rotation.
The Foxies, though, comprise of College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers core along with Adamson stars Trisha Tubu and Kate Santiago in the mix will give the Cargo Movers a run for their money.
