Compact field balances All-Filipino race
The Premier Volleyball League may be down to 10 teams, but the departure of two squads created a welcome development: The sudden availability of a lot of talent created a balance that will make the coming All-Filipino Conference full of intrigue and surprises.
Nxled, which has struggled to make an impact since joining the league, signed most of the top-tier talent of champion squad Petro Gazz, which filed for a leave of absence, and also added some veteran energy from defunct Chery Tiggo.
The Chameleons now join the Creamline Cool Smashers as teams that will generate a lot of attention when the league kicks off on Saturday at Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Nxled, winless in the Reinforced Conference, emerged as an instant contender after landing three-time MVP Brooke Van Sickle, Finals MVP MJ Phillips and resurgent star Myla Pablo. Italian coach Ettore Guidetti now faces the task of blending the former Angels with holdovers Chiara Permentilla, Lyann de Guzman, EJ Laure, Jovelyn Fernandez and a retooled supporting cast.
“It’s obviously a challenge—and one I embrace,” Guidetti said. “Yes, it’ll be difficult. But I’m not scared. I’m excited.”
The Chameleons also added Jules Tolentino, Jonah Sabete, Ranya Musa, Bang Pineda, Djanel Cheng, Nicole Tiamzon and AA Adolfo, along with veteran reinforcements Aby Maraño, Joyme Cagande and Aduke Ogunsanya.
Creamline, meanwhile, begins a redemption tour anchored by the return of setter Jia De Guzman and former MVP Bernadeth Pons. De Guzman, back after stints in Japan and Alas Pilipinas, is easing into a reunion with Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza and a chemistry-strong core.
“We’re taking it one day at a time,” De Guzman said. “It’s about finding rhythm and translating experience into our system.”
“The talent from two teams [that left] was evenly distributed,” said Control Committee chair Sherwin Malonzo. “The road to the finals won’t be a walk in the park.”
Choco Mucho welcomes Eya Laure and the return of Sisi Rondina. Farm Fresh bolstered its top-seed status with Ara Galang and a fit-again Mylene Paat under new coach Koji Tsuzurabara. Capital1 surrounded Bella Belen with veteran help, while ZUS Coffee reunited Rachel Anne Daquis with Jovelyn Gonzaga after a historic finals run.
PLDT and Cignal stood pat, leaning on their solid core. The rest of the field made notable additions to beef up their roster.
The tournament also features a new format, with no team eliminated after a round-robin preliminary round. The top four enter a qualifying round, while the rest battle through play-ins.
