MANILA – The Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference will kick off on Tuesday with an explosive triple-header at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Galeries Tower, featuring Brazilian import Monique Helena and promising rookies Julia Coronel, Jewel Encarnacion, Dodee Batindaan and Daniyan Aying, will face Nxled, led by Lycha Ebon and May Luna, at 2 p.m.
Khat Bell will lead Chery Tiggo in the 4 p.m. match against Farm Fresh, which will rely on Colombian Yeny Murillo and rookies Maicah Larroza and Pierre Abellana.
Creamline coming off a title victory in the All-Filipino Conference, will battle PLDT in the main game at 6 p.m.
American import Erica Staunton and Fil-Canadian libero Aleiah Torres are expected to lead the Cool Smashers, who will miss the services of Alas Pilipinas member Jema Galanza.
Head coach Sherwin Meneses noted that Staunton, who played for Northeastern University and the University of Georgia, has already integrated into the team’s system.
“We made some adjustments. It was a tough time, we just had to import some things, and it all came down to the results of the game,” said Meneses.
Meanwhile, the High Speed Hitters will rely on comebacking middle blocker Mika Reyes, Kim Fajardo and rookie setter Angge Alcantara.
Reyes will take over the position of Dell Palomata, who is with the Alas Pilipinas, while Alcantara is replacing Rhea Dimaculangan, who decided to skip the tournament.
“We’re playing in one of the middle block positions. National team player Dell was the only middle blocker in the team after Mika suffered an injury,” said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort. (PNA)
Watch: Jema Galanza Highlights for the Creamline Cool Smashers:
