Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 15) – Big names in the volleyball scene are making their move before the much anticipated start of the 2022 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season set for next month.
Powerhouse team F2 Logistics Cargo Movers, which skipped the 2021 PVL Open Conference, stacked its roster with the acquisition of former Perlas Spiker Dzi Gervacio and former PLDT standout and NCAA Season 93 Most Valuable Player Shola Alvarez.
Gervacio, a product of the Ateneo de Manila University, will join the Cargo Movers squad mostly composed of rival De La Salle University alumnae. The team is also coached by long-time Lady Archers mentor Ramil de Jesus.
On the other hand, the Ateneo Lady Eagles-led Choco Mucho Flying Titans secured the services of rival Lady Archer middle blocker Aduke Ogunsanya and libero Thang Ponce.
Ogunsanya last saw action with F2 Logistics during the 2021 Philippine National Volleyball Federation Champions League while Ponce was with Perlas last conference.
Meanwhile, the Cignal HD Spikers loaded up its roster with a mix of tested veterans and young blood like middle blocker Ria Meneses, opposite hitter Jerrili Malabanan, open spiker Ces Molina, former BaliPure spiker Graze Bombita, former PLDT player Maristela Layug, and former Sta. Lucia Realtor Glaudine Troncoso.
The duo of Rachel Anne Daquis and Jovelyn Gonzaga will continue to lead the Shaq Delos Santos-mentored Cignal squad.
2021 PVL Open Conference third placer Petro Gazz Angels scored a coup with the signing of the Sta. Lucia trio led by veteran opposite spiker Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, libero Bang Pineda, and all-around player MJ Phillips.
Outside hitter Nicole Tiamzon, setter Alina Bicar, and middle blocker Mariella Gabarda complete the bunch of new players in a more competitive Petro Gazz side.
Lastly, PLDT underwent a facelift in the new year with a new team moniker Home High Speed Hitters and a new coach in multi-titled mentor George Pascua, who replaced Roger Gorayeb.
New faces like Jessey de Leon, Kath Arado, and Mean Mendrez will help power up the PLDT squad.
The High Speed Hitters also retained Rhea Dimaculangan, Eli Soyud, Chin Basas, and Iza Viray for their 2022 campaign.
PVL president Ricky Palou said the league is eyeing three conferences this year, with the Open Conference being the first salvo with a target opening date of Feb. 16 in a bubble setup at either Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila or Royale Tagaytay.
Defending Open Conference champions Chery Tiggo Crossovers, runner-up Creamline Cool Smashers, BaliPure Water Defenders, and Army are the other teams expected to see action in the volleyball meet.
Sta. Lucia and Perlas both filed a leave of absence in the league, citing the continuing surge of COVID-19 cases in the country.
