Crossovers, Thunderbelles make On Tour debuts in Montalban
Chery Tiggo and ZUS Coffee debut in the PVL On Tour, as they give their respective highly touted rookies their first feel of big-time play in clashes with teams aiming to bounce back from losses.
The Crossovers, the 2021 PVL Open Conference champions, take on the Capital1 Solar Spikers at 4 p.m., followed by the Thunderbelles’ showdown with the Akari Chargers at 6:30 p.m. at Ynares Center in Montalban which hosts a major volleyball game for the first time.
Rookies Reyann Canete and Erika Jin Deloria are also expected to make early impressions for Chery Tiggo with both shooting to make an impact on their squad like what Lyann De Guzman has done for Nxled and what Jean Asis has shown Galleries Towers fans.
Ynares Center Montalban serves as the third out-of-town venue of this year’s preseason event, which has already had successful stops in Vigan City and Batangas City last month.
The series will next head to the Capital Arena in Ilagan City on July 12 to July 13, before returning to the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan. The City of Passi Arena in Iloilo will then take its turn to host from July 19 to July 20, followed by the USJ-R Coliseum in Cebu City on July 26 to July 27.
Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur is also set to host its third PVL event on July 29, featuring two marquee matchups: Choco Mucho vs. Petro Gazz, and Chery Tiggo vs. ZUS Coffee.
For Capital1, Pia Abbu, the middle blocker out of Santo Tomas, has shown flashes of brilliance, but the team will need more from veterans Trisha Genesis, Jorelle Singh, Shola Alvarez, Sydney Niegos and Rovena Instrella to stay in contention.
ZUS Coffee will field No. 5 overall pick AC Miner—an Ateneo standout like De Guzman—along with Mycah Go from St. Benilde and UE’s Riza Nogales. Despite missing top rookie Thea Gagate, who is with Alas Pilipinas, the Thunderbelles still boast a potent lineup led by Chai Troncoso, Kate Santiago, Dolly Versoza, Gayle Pascual, Chinnie Arroyo and Fiola Ceballos.
The Chargers, meanwhile, are expected to come out retooled and refocused with Grethcel Soltones, Eli Soyud, Ivy Lacsina, Camille Victoria and Celine Domingo anchoring their campaign.
They’ll be backed by promising rookies Chenie Tagaod, Jamaica Villena and Joan Doguna.
