Games Sunday
(Chavit Coliseum, Vigan City)
4 p.m. – Cignal vs Akari
6:30 p.m. – Creamline vs Capital1
VIGAN, Ilocos Sur – Elite volleyball serve up fans in the north as the Premier Volleyball League unveils its two-month long pre-season showcase with the opening salvo of the PVL on Tour at the newly inaugurated, state-of-the-art Chavit Coliseum Sunday, June 22, here.
Four teams from Pool B take the spotlight in this weekend’s kickoff, headlined by multi-titled powerhouse Creamline Cool Smashers, in what promises to be a thrilling and competitive opening salvo.
Creamline, still reeling from a runner-up finish to Petro Gazz in the All-Filipino Finals, battles a souped-up Capital1 side at 6:30 p.m. right after the 4 p.m. clash between
Cignal and Akari in the two-day series backed by One Ilocos Sur.
On Monday, action continues with Cignal vs. Capital1 at 4 p.m., followed by Creamline vs. Akari at 6:30 p.m. – two more matchups expected to shake up the early standings.
As rivalries reignite and new stories unfold, one thing is certain – the PVL On Tour is volleyball with heart – a league on the move, connecting the country one city at a time.
While seasoned stars continue to draw fanfare, it’s also a stage for the league’s promising rookies and rising sophomores eager to prove their mettle – a timely treat for fans yearning for volleyball action following the highly successful PVL All-Filipino Conference last April.
“This first leg of the PVL On Tour marks more than just the beginning of our pre-season tournament – it symbolizes a meaningful connection between the sport and the community, between the players and the fans, between our league and its future,” said PVL president Ricky Palou.
Expect the Cool Smashers to deploy a formidable lineup led by team captain Alyssa Valdez, who remains the emotional leader and key spark plug of the franchise.
Adding youthful firepower are new acquisitions middle blockers Sheena Toring and Nica Celis, who are eager to make their presence felt early in the campaign.
“We’re really excited to go around the Philippines and experience the culture of every province we visit and meet the volleyball community,” said Valdez. “But at the end of the day, we’re still here to compete – we hope to give our best for the fans.”
Capital1 enters a new era under Alas Pilipinas head coach Jorge Souza de Brito, who replaced veteran Roger Gorayeb, now serving as team consultant. While top overall pick Bella Belen is unavailable due to national team duties, the Solar Spikers have bolstered their core with veteran campaigners Jerrili Malabanan, KC Galdones and Rachel Austero, and holdovers Trisha Genesis, Iris Tolentino and Roma Mae Doromal.
Cignal, meanwhile, looks to bounce back from a turbulent previous conference with a revitalized roster. Key additions Erika Santos and Tine Tiamzon, along with prized rookie Erin Pangilinan, are expected to make immediate impact, backed by core players Gel Cayuna, Ishie Lalongisip and Roselyn Doria.
Akari, fresh from back-to-back podium finishes, continues to build around the dependable trio of Grethcel Soltones, Ivy Lacsina and Kamille Cal. With head coach Tina Salak temporarily unavailable, assistant coach Eddieson Orcullo takes over on the bench, aiming to maintain their team’s consistency and chemistry.
The PVL on Tour format injects added intrigue and suspense to the pre-season festivities. The 12 participating teams are divided into two pools with Petro Gazz, Choco Mucho, PLDT, Galeries Tower, Farm Fresh and Nxled making up Pool A.
Joining Creamline, Cignal, Akari and Capital1 in Pool B are Chery Tiggo and ZUS Coffee
After a single round-robin preliminaries from June 22 to July 29, the top two teams from each pool will gain outright entry to the quarterfinals. The third to sixth placers, however, face a high-risk knockout play-in round to determine the remaining quarterfinal slots – making every match a potential turning point.s
