Tag: PVL

Novel format spices up Reinforced PVL action

On: By: admin


Erica Staunton is Creamline Cool Smashers’ import for the PVL Reinforced Conference. –CREAMLINE PHOTO

A two-stage elimination round will be something new when the Reinforced Conference of the Premier Volleyball League gets off the ground on July 16, although the battle for the championship will be just for a single game which assures that no team will run under full speed the entire time.

The 12-team field will be divided into two groups in the first phase of classification, with the top teams from Pools A and B going on to clash with the bottom three teams from the opposite groups to form Pools C and D.

Following the preliminaries, teams will be ranked using the FIVB Classification System. The top eight squads will move on to the knockout quarterfinals. Winners will advance to the semifinals, which will also be decided in a do-or-die match. The top two teams from the semis will compete in a winner-take-all gold medal match, while the losers will battle for bronze.

Creamline headlines Pool A, which will also have Chery Tiggo, Farm Fresh, Galeries Tower, Nxled and PLDT, while defending champion Petro Gazz will be in the other pool together with Akari, Capital1, Cignal, Choco Mucho and Zus Coffee.

Opening day promises intense matchups, starting with the Highrisers, bannered by Brazilian reinforcement Monique Helena, facing the Nxled squad, which has yet to reveal its import, at 2 p.m. at PhilSports Arena.

Nxled is hoping to make the best out of picking fifth overall in the coming Draft after losing several standouts, including Ivy Lacsina and Dindin Santiago-Manabat in a swap with sister team Akari recently.

Lacsina was part of the package that also sent Cams Victoria, libero skipper Dani Ravena and main setter Kamille Cal to Akari. Manabat opted out of being included in that deal and terminated her contract with the Chargers to find her way into Choco Mucho.

At 4 p.m., American spiker Katherine Bell and the Crossovers will challenge Asaka Tamaru and the Foxies. The main event at 6 p.m. will see the Cool Smashers, led by Erica Staunton from the USA, against returning Russian hitter Lena Samoilenko and the PLDT High Speed Hitters. —Angel B. Dukha III



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

Cha Cruz-Behag returns to PVL as Petro Gazz assistant coach

On: By: admin


FILE–Cha Cruz-Behag. PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Cha Cruz-Behag is returning to the PVL but this time, she will be embracing a new role as an assistant coach for the Petro Gazz Angels in their “three-peat” bid in the Reinforced Conference, which opens on July 16 at Philsports Arena.

A year after her return to the PVL but followed by F2 Logistics’ disbandment last December, Behag has found her way back to the pros with a new team but in a different capacity.

“A new Angel on the sideline that will help the team reach new heights. Welcome, Assistant Coach Cha Cruz-Behag,” Petro Gazz announced on Tuesday.

Behag, dubbed as “Miss Everything” with her do-it-all talent as a spiker for La Salle and previous club stints, will be helping Japanese coach Koji Tsuzurabara on his mission to deliver the Angels’ third straight Reinforced Conference crown.

The veteran outside spiker came out of a five-year hiatus in last year’s first All-Filipino Conference but sat out in the next two tournaments, announcing her second pregnancy.

READ: PVL: Cha Cruz-Behag, back after four years, savors triumphant return

The 36-year-old Behag, whose mother club F2 Logistics bid farewell to the pro volleyball scene last December, is joining a team close to her family as her sister Cienne Cruz played as libero from 2018 to last year, while Camille served as team manager in the past PVL seasons.

Behag will be handling reigning All-Filipino MVP Brooke Van Sickle, Jonah Sabete, Nicole Tiamzon, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Djanel Cheng, MJ Phillips, and Remy Palma as well as her ex-La Salle teammate Chie Saet and fellow former Cargo Movers Myla Pablo, Mich Morente, Joy Dacoron, and Ethan Arce.

Petro Gazz has yet to announce its import but it won the last two Reinforced Conferences in 2019 with Wilma Salas and the late Janisa Johnson before successfully defending its throne two years ago with Lindsey Vander-Weide, beating Cignal in the finals.

The Angels, who finished with a bronze medal in the All-Filipino Conference, are grouped in Pool B with Choco Mucho, Cignal, Akari, Capital1, and ZUS Coffee.

Petro Gazz opens its ‘three-peat’ campaign against ZUS Coffee, which will pick Thea Gagate at No.1 in the Rookie Draft and bring Japanese spiker Asaka Tamaru, on July 18 at Philsports Arena.



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

PVL to use different format in return of Reinforced Conference

On: By: admin


FILE–A shot of the crowd during the PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals between Creamline Cool Smashers and Choco Mucho Flying Titans. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — The return of the PVL Reinforced Conference features a Pool Play format, dividing 12 teams into two groups as pro volleyball action unfurls on July 16 at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

With the import-laden tournament returning to action for the first time in two years, the PVL will be using a different format, using the serpentine method to separate the teams into two groups — based on their standings in the previous All-Filipino Conference with champion Creamline headlining Pool A, while runner-up Choco Mucho leading Pool B.

Creamline, which will be bolstered by American Erica Staunton, eyes to end a six-year Reinforced Conference title drought with the Khat Bell-led Chery Tiggo, PLDT with returning Russian import Elena Samoilenko, Galeries Tower with Brazilian Monique Helena, and Farm Fresh and Nxled, who have yet to unveil their respective imports.

READ: Cha Cruz-Behag returns to PVL as Petro Gazz assistant coach

Choco Mucho, which will miss Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag due to their Alas Pilipinas duties, parades Greek spiker Zoi Faki and newcomer Dindin Santiago-Manabat in Pool B with three-peat-seeking Petro Gazz, MJ Perez-led Cignal, Akari with Oly Okaro, Capital1 reinforced by Russian Marina Tushova, and ZUS Coffee bringing Japanese spiker Asaka Tamaru.

PVL commissioner Sherwin Malonzo bared that ZUS Coffee and Farm Fresh were supposed to end up in the same group due to their records but they transferred the Thunderbelles to Pool B to avoid having sister teams in one group.

The Highrisers, who will also pick No. 3 in the inaugural PVL Draft on Monday at Novotel, will tip things off on July 16, facing the new-look Chameleons at 2 p.m.

Bell marks her return in Manila with the Crossovers’ 4 p.m. match against the Foxies, while Creamline and PLDT cap the tripleheader at 6 p.m.

READ: Thea Gagate eager to help ZUS Coffee rise after winless campaign

The group phase will feature two stages, starting with a single round-robin format. In the second round, the top three teams from Pool A will face the bottom three from Pool B in Pool C, while the top three squads from Pool B will compete against the lower-ranked teams of Pool A in Pool D.

Following the preliminaries, teams will be ranked using the FIVB Classification System. The top eight squads will move on to the knockout quarterfinals. The winners advance to the knockout semifinals, qualifying for the Invitational Conference in September with two foreign clubs.

The finalists will clash in a winner-take-all gold medal game. The Reinforced Conference will feature three games on all preliminary game days, paving the way for the Invitational Conference set for September.



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

PVL team that drafts Roma Mae gets a determined, title-hungry libero

On: By: admin


Roma Mae Doromal–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

As former Ateneo skipper and libero Roma Mae Doromal makes the jump to the pros by joining the PVL Draft, she’s making it clear that she just wants to achieve something in the pro league that has eluded her in the UAAP.

“I never experienced [winning] a championship,” Doromal said in Filipino as she and 46 others in the aspirants pool await their respective fates in the July 8 Draft. “I am really hopeful that in the PVL [when I am drafted] I can do something about it.”

In her three years with the Blue Eagles, Doromal only reached the Final Four once and capped off her UAAP stint just short of the semifinals of Season 86.

Under coach Sergio Veloso, the 5-foot-4 skipper helped Ateneo finish fifth with a 5-9 record, but what she learned from the Brazilian mentor will be her main weapon if she gets picked in the historic, first-ever Draft.

“I feel like other than the skills I’ve accumulated, my leadership inside the court [is my biggest takeaway from Ateneo],” Doromal said. “This time, I want to, even as a rookie, lead the team that I will go to.

Showing loyalty

“Coach Sergio has helped me to really become a leader, so for sure, I will be able to bring that as well as the skills in terms of technicalities.”

The 23-year-old defensive stalwart showed her loyalty to her alma mater after staying for one last run with the Blue Eagles even after already finishing her communications degree last year, where Ateneo ended up sixth with a 4-10 record to miss the Final Four for the first time in 15 years.

Now, despite being among the young bloods trying her luck in the pros, Doromal wants to apply everything she’s learned as a UAAP star and help the team that will take a chance on her on Monday where former La Salle star Thea Gagate will be made the first-ever No. 1 pick by rebuilding Zus Coffee under Jerry Yee.

And her sister, Galeries Tower mainstay Roma Joy, will be guiding her as she embarks on this journey.

“She told me to just enjoy the journey,” the younger Doromal said. “It’s actually scary feeling, a lot of emotions, but at the same time even if I am scared, I will continue fighting and let things happen as long as I give my best.” INQ



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

Nathalie Ramacula chases childhood dream with PVL Draft chance

On: By: admin


PVL Draft aspirant Nathalie Ramacula. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — After her aborted UAAP stint, the Filipino-Canadian libero Nathalie Ramacula seeks to fulfill her childhood dream as one of the 47 aspirants hoping to be selected in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft on July 8 at Novotel.

Ramacula flew all the way from Canada back to Manila as she tries to complete her unfinished business nine years after she last played in the country when she was 15 years old.

“I did my residency with UE, and then unfortunately, I was gonna be playing sa UAAP but then I had to go to Canada,” Ramacula told reporters in the Draft Combine on Wednesday at GameVille Ball Park.

READ: Teams begin plotting PVL Draft strategies

Veteran setter Chie Saet discovered the Red River College Polytechnic product in Grade 8 before she went to UE. However, her collegiate stint in Canada was limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“My journey po, I started playing in grade 5. I got recruited by coach Chie Saet when I was in grade 8 then I went to Canada and I played to clubs there as well. I went to nationals as well and college,” Ramacula said. “Unfortunately, it was COVID so I had to stop for a bit and then I had to come back again for PVL.”

Despite the pitstops in her volleyball career, Ramacula won’t stop chasing her dream to play in the PVL even though she attended the Draft Combine still feeling the effects of jet lag. 

LIST: Applicants for the first ever PVL Rookie Draft

“I applied because this is my dream like my big dream kasi since bata pa po ako ito na po or yung UAAP yung pinaka dream ko so I’m thankful po na [nabigyan ng chance magpadraft],” she said. “Hopefully, I did best because I’m a bit jetlagged kasi po three days ago kakarating ko lang din po so medyo I’m still adjusting sa time.”

“What I can offer is my big motivation po like I can motivate each one of the team as well. Being a [vocal] libero I hope to give my best for the team.”

Ramacula is one of the two Filipino-Canadian players with libero Aleiah Torres of Brock University, hoping to be part of the 12 PVL teams in the Reinforced Conference starting on July 16.



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

Maicah Larroza has added motivation heading into PVL Draft

On: By: admin


PVL Draft aspirant Maicah Larroza from La Salle during the Draft Combine. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Maicah Larroza has some extra motivation heading into the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft with her La Salle teammates Thea Gagate, Leila Cruz, and Julia Coronel among this year’s top prospects.

Gagate is set to be ZUS Coffee’s choice for the No.1 pick and Cruz and Coronel are expected to be picked, but Larroza is not taking it as a source of additional pressure, but rather as motivation.

“Of course, added motivation because they’re my teammates, I also want to play at their level,” said the versatile aspirant, who enjoyed with her batchmates in the two-day Draft Combine at GameVille Ball Park. 

LIST: Applicants for the first ever PVL Rookie Draft

“I really enjoyed this PVL Draft Combine, especially knowing that some of the players I used to compete against were there. I felt very comfortable and the process went smoothly for me.”

Larroza, a substitute wing spiker in her playing years for La Salle, is bringing all the things she learned from coach Ramil De Jesus, who fully supported their decision to enter the PVL draft.

“Coach Ramil always teaches us about discipline, determination, hard work, and perseverance. He encourages us to explore constantly and reminds us to enjoy the things we love,” she said.

READ: PVL: Petro Gazz looking at best available players in the draft

“I told my coach, ‘, I’m going to enter the draft,’ while I was still wearing my toga. We attended the thanksgiving event to say goodbye properly, and we parted ways on good terms.”

Now that she’s moving on to a new chapter of her career, Larroza offers her versatility as she can play on both ends as spiker and libero. 

“It depends on the team that picks me whether I play as an outside hitter or libero. I’ll embrace any role they give me,” Larroza said. “I can offer my teammates the assurance that they can rely on me every time I step onto the court, whether leading the offense or defense.”



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

PVL Draft aspirant Pierre Abellana impresses with her athleticism

On: By: admin


PVL Draft aspirant Pierre Abellana during the Draft Combine. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Determined to come out of her shell, Pierre Abellana seeks to unleash her untapped potential in the professional scene as she chases a roster spot in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft on July 8 at Novotel.

Abellana, who seldom saw action for the University of Santo Tomas in her playing years in the UAAP, turned heads in the two-day combine as she showed her athleticism in front of coaches and scouts from the 12 PVL teams.

“I’m super motivated right now because at this point, I have control over how I can showcase my abilities,” said the 5-foot-5 outside spiker, who was part of UST’s cinderella run in Season 86 but got swept by National University in the finals.

READ: Teams begin plotting PVL Draft strategies

“I always say that I will give my all, especially in putting effort into improving myself, and I’ll always do my best to help the team in any way I can,” she added.

Abellana impressed coaches and even her fellow 46 aspirants through her speed and high leaping abilities on Day 1. However, she believed that she could have shown more on Day 2 during the scrimmages.

LIST: Applicants for the first ever PVL Rookie Draft

“For Day 2, I can’t say I’m satisfied, but I know I did my best,” said Abellana, who came in second in the 60-meter shuttle run with a time of 14.35 seconds, third in the standing vertical jump with 63.50 centimeters, and third in the one-minute push-up test with 43 reps.

“Maybe that’s important too because even if I didn’t perform my best today, the coaches can still see that I can bounce back because I am physically fit,” she added.

The Fitness and Sports Management magna cum laude is grateful for the continuous support of the UST fans despite bidding farewell to the Tigresses.

“I’m just super thankful for the constant support because even after I graduated, they always tell me they’re still supporting me until I turn pro,” Abellana said. “They know my capabilities and they believe I can do it, so they always remind me to trust myself.”



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

Roma Mae Doromal brings leadership to her future PVL team

On: By: admin


Former Ateneo captain Roma Mae Doromal during the PVL Draft Combine. – MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Former Ateneo captain Roma Mae Doromal offers her floor defense and leadership skills as she turns pro in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft on July 8 at Novotel.

Doromal is among the top in this year’s Draft and she showcased her abilities in a two-day Draft Combine at the GameVille Ball Park, where coaches and scouts of the 12 PVL teams had a chance to scout for players who can level up their respective rosters.

“I think besides the skills I’ve gathered, leadership on the court is really important to me. I want this time to lead the team wherever I end up even though I’m still a rookie,” Doromal told reporters as she also seeks for redemption with just one Final Four appearance with the Blue Eagles throughout her collegiate career.

LIST: Applicants for the first ever PVL Rookie Draft

“Of course, that’s what I’m really holding on to this time. I haven’t won a championship yet. Hopefully, in the PVL, I can find a way to achieve that championship,” she added.

Despite falling short of the Final Four in her last playing year in Season 86, the young libero is still grateful for all the learnings and the maturity she earned under Brazilian coach Sergio Velos. 

“Coach Sergio helped me a lot to become a true leader. That’s something I’ll definitely bring with me. He also taught me skills, especially the technical aspects. Hopefully, I can teach my other teammates as well, even those new skills they don’t know yet,” she said.

READ: UAAP: Roma Doromal leaves Ateneo happy with young team’s growth

Doromal relished her experience playing with her former UAAP rivals, NCAA players, and aspirants from different places during the two-day Draft combine.

“We had a great experience, especially because there were so many talented players from different schools and provinces. I’m really happy to get to know them and play with them on the court,” she said. “They also became my friends outside of volleyball, so it wasn’t hard to adjust to playing with them on the court. It was just really fun because we’re all close friends.”

As she awaits the draft day, Doromal keeps her determination to improve her decision-making, digging skills, and whatever her future team wants her to develop.

Thanks to her elder sister, Roma Joy of Galeries, who has been supporting her and giving her bits of advice in her chase to make it to the pros. 



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

“She just told me to enjoy the journey. Actually, it’s really scary because you feel a lot of emotions, but at the same time, you just have to keep fighting even if you’re scared. She told me to just enjoy and whatever happens, give my best,” the younger Doromal said.

Julia Coronel looms as a prime PVL Draft catch

On: By: admin


Julia Coronel during the PVL Rookie Draft combine.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

As if her schedule isn’t jampacked as it is with a commitment to the Alas Pilipinas team and the completion of her degree at La Salle, former Lady Spikers captain Julia Coronel is also set to turn pro after joining the first-ever PVL Rookie Draft.

After deciding to forego her remaining UAAP eligibility years, the 5-foot-6 playmaker is taking on a new challenge and swears that she’s ready for it.

“This is a different experience,” Coronel told the Inquirer with a mix of Filipino on Wednesday in Mandaluyong City during the Draft Combine where she got to play against La Salle teammates Thea Gagate and Maicah Larroza in scrimmages.

Coronel was a part of the formidable La Salle crew under coach Ramil de Jesus, which for the last three seasons landed podium finishes including a championship in Season 85.

“[Everything is] happening a bit too fast for me, but I am just here taking on every challenge that comes and I will try to do my best in every situation that will be given to me,” she said.

It is with the national team that Coronel crossed off a longtime dream of playing alongside veteran setter Jia de Guzman, something which greatly influenced her decision to turn pro.

“It was unexpected, because I never imagined being teammates with [De Guzman] cause I’ve been looking up to her for the longest time,” Coronel said. “I got to learn from her, from one of the best from our country.

“I really learned a lot [from her], which I am excited to apply hopefully in my future pro team,” she added.

National team first

With a standout resume, Coronel, who also made her versatility as an opposite hitter known, said a few PVL teams have already reached out to her, though nothing is final yet until the July 8 Draft.

She made it known, though, that on top of her commitments list is playing for the national team.

“With that hectic schedule, I would really say that I have to compromise, but my priority is the national team for the time being,” she said. “I hope that my future PVL team will also be understanding of that because I am not there just to play but to also serve our country.

“It’s still national team period, so once that is over, that’s when I’ll be fully committed [to my future PVL team].”

Coronel has stood out in the two-day combine after exhibiting her leaping abilities by logging a 27.78 inch standard vertical jump—the best in the class.

Given her productive years in the UAAP, Coronel looms as a sure first round pick and has promised to do her job right.



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

“To the team that will pick me, I am a versatile player so whatever is needed of me, I am willing to fulfill that,” Coronel said.

Teams begin plotting PVL Draft strategies

On: By: admin


It’s been hailed as a landmark moment in the Premier Volleyball League, one that could improve the league’s balance in the long run.

But after two days of the Draft Combine, it’s time for teams to make serious decisions.

“I think there’s a lot of talent. As I’ve said before I came to the Philippines, there’s a lot of talent in Philippine volleyball,” Godfrey Okumu, an assistant coach for Galeries Tower, said on Wednesday.

That rich mix of talent will need sorting out for the PVL’s first Rookie Draft in league history, with only ZUS Coffee declaring outright that it is selecting Thea Gagate with the No. 1 overall pick. Capital1, which has the second overall pick, has been mum on its choice. “I’m just looking at the height and if the player will fit our system,” said Capital1 coach Roger Gorayeb. “Players grew up in different systems so it would be great to find someone who can adjust easily [to our system].”

“We have a target that we’re discussing and we’re studying if we will benefit [in selecting] her,” added the veteran coach, who refused to name the player or her position.

Scrimmage

Galeries, picking third, is also playing its cards close to its chest, although the team has made its priorities clear.

“In our team, we hope that the person we will get will come in settled and get to know the team better,” Okumu said. “That’s the most important thing, building the team together. With the people who are in and the people coming in.”

A total of 47 rookie hopefuls participated in the Combine.

Day 2 saw the participants scrimmage with free agents at Gameville Ball Park, giving teams one last opportunity to gauge the skills of the players and their potential fit with the squads.

“[The combine was] definitely a big event for us … because we need to fill a lot of slots at ZUS,” said Kiara Cruz, Strong Group’s head of volleyball operations on Wednesday. “We see great potential from these players even aside from the likes of Thea Gagate ganyan, Leila Cruz. There are NCAA players and players from other places as well and they’re something to look out for.”ZUS has only six players under contract: St. Benilde products Cloanne Mondoñedo, Gayle Pascual, Michelle Gamit and Jade Gentapa, along with Dolly Verzosa and Mary Joy Onofre.

The Combine was valuable even for those picking late in the rounds.

“We get to see the capabilities of those who are not really that well-known,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses, whose club will select last in the first round.



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

“For the coaches, it’s important we get to see players personally,” said Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin, whose Flying Titans will pick before the Cool Smashers at No. 11.

After ZUS Coffee, Capital1 and Galeries Tower, Farm Fresh will be on the block with the fourth pick. The first round will then go on with Nxled, Akari, Cignal, PLDT, Chery Tiggo and Petro Gazz making their selections before Choco Mucho and Creamline.