While the spotlight will shine on how PLDT aims to secure its third straight championship, coaches across the league agree – the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference firing off Tuesday (Oct. 7) could be the most unpredictable yet.
In line with its push to bring volleyball closer to the people, the PVL will stage the first three playdates of this import-laced conference out-of-town, with matches also set across three provinces during the eight-week elimination round.
These games will feature not only the country’s top local talents but also a formidable cast of foreign imports, raising the level of competition to new heights.
Although PLDT swept both the PVL On Tour and the Invitational Conference in dominant fashion earlier this year, parity has clearly taken root in the league. Coaches are nearly unanimous: no single team holds a clear advantage heading into the tournament, and any squad could emerge champion once the dust settles after the finals on Nov. 27.
“There’s no easy game anymore,” said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort in Filipino. “It used to sound like a cliché, but it’s the truth now – every team has significantly improved, and with the addition of imports and rookies like Alas, it’s going to be a battle every match.”
Still, the High Speed Hitters remain the gold standard. PLDT is riding high on back-to-back titles, winning both without dropping a single match – a streak that now puts a target squarely on their backs.
Anchoring PLDT’s title drive is a star-studded frontline led by Savi Davison, Kim Dy, Majoy Baron and Mika Reyes. The team has also bolstered its roster with the addition of Russian outside hitter Anastasia Bavykina, a powerful scorer fresh from a stint with Yenisey Krasnoyarsk in Russia.
Bavykina is expected to form a dangerous wing combination with Davison – arguably one of the most lethal duos this season.
While Ricafort acknowledges the increasing competitiveness of the league, the continuity and chemistry of his core roster, along with high-impact imports, still place PLDT as the early favorite.
Creamline, after missing the finals in back-to-back conferences despite achieving a historic Grand Slam the year before, is determined to return to form. With American import Courtney Schwan joining the fold, the Cool Smashers are expected to be in serious contention.
Still, head coach Sherwin Meneses emphasized the importance of early games as a litmus test for all teams.
“It’s really hard to say who’s the strongest right now,” said Meneses in Filipino. “We’ll only know once the tournament starts. Of course, the biggest factor is the quality of the imports. Most of the teams still have the same local core, like us, so it will depend on how well the imports blend in.”
Choco Mucho, one of the league’s fan favorites, is looking to improve upon a disappointing 10th-place finish in the PVL On Tour. With new American import Marlee Smith, who previously saw action in Thailand’s AVC Champions League, and veteran head coach Dante Alinsunurin calling the shots, the Flying Titans aim to shake up the standings.
“For sure, the usual top four teams are still the ones to watch,” Alinsunurin said in Filipino. “But I believe the rest of the league has closed the gap. The PVL’s new drafting system has really helped raise the overall level of play. Even the former bottom teams are now giving strong performances.”
Galeries Tower, with coach Godfrey Okumu at the helm, enters the season with cautious optimism. The Highrisers will feature Montenegrin outside hitter Jelena Cvijovic, who returns to the PVL after helping Chery Tiggo to a fourth-place finish in 2022.
“It’s hard to say who the top teams are,” said Okumu. “Our group is incredibly tough. Three of the teams in our pool are past champions. We just have to focus on playing our best, one match at a time. May the best team win.”
Despite PLDT’s dominant run, the consensus remains: the season-ending conference, backed by ICTSI, Fabriano Appliances, Milcu and Mikasa, is shaping up to be a battlefield where no win will come easy, and no team is safe. With balanced rosters, standout imports and veteran coaches leading the charge, the league promises one of the most thrilling seasons yet.
Meanwhile, ZUS Coffee and Akari kick off hostitilies on Tuesday with a 4 p.m. showdown, followed by the 6:30 p.m. clash between Capital1 and Choco Mucho at the Ynares Center in Montalban, Rizal.
This would mark the pro debut of UAAP superstar Bella Belen and Capital1 owners Milka and Mandy Romero are both looking forward to a dream start.
The three-time UAAP MVP out of National University was this season overall No. 1 pick.
The action then shifts to the Dasmariñas Arena in Cavite for the next two playdates. On Oct. 9, Galeries Tower faces off against Petro Gazz at 4 p.m., followed by the matchup between Farm Fresh and Nxled at 6:30 p.m.. On Oct. 11, Chery Tiggo takes on ZUS Coffee at 4 p.m., while Akari battles Creamline in the 6:30 p.m. nightcap.
