Three matches usher in Superliga Invitational

MANILA, Philippines -  Newcomers Sta. Lucia and Cocolife hope to make the most of their initial stint in big-time volleyball as they take on seasoned rivals in the Belo-Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference which reels off today at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The Lady Realtors make their much-anticipated debut against powerhouse the Petron side at 7 p.m. while the Asset Managers tangle with the Generika-Ayala squad at 3 p.m. following the 2 p.m. opening ceremonies.

Another powerhouse in Cignal will also see action as it plays Foton in the 5 p.m. match of the tournament bankrolled by Mikasa, Senoh, Mueller and Grand Sport with TV5 as official broadcast partner.

After a glorious stint in the Philippine Basketball Association, Sta. Lucia also hopes to make it good in women’s volley on a team built around NCAA stars, led by Janine Navarro, Ranya Musa and Djanel Cheng, who powered Saint Benilde to a miraculous win over San Sebastian in the NCAA finals last year.

Michael Carino will serve as mentor. 

But hurdling their first test in this battle that also has UCPB Gen as official insurance provider and Gold’s Gym as official fitness partner will never be easy.

The Lady Realtors are tipped to have a tough time against the Blaze Spikers, who boast of former UST stars Carmela Tunay, Rhea Dimaculangan and Mika Reyes.

Petron assistant coach Ian Fernandez  said chemistry would never be a major problem as Dimaculangan played with star opposite Aiza Maizo-Pontillas when the Tigresses conquered their last UAAP crown in 2010 under the mentorship of incumbent Petron coach Shaq Delos Santos.

“They are quite familiar with each other so it will never be a problem,” said Fernandez, the former national men’s team skipper who was also part of the coaching staff when UST ruled the UAAP seven years ago. 

Focus will also be on Cocolife, a team that features erstwhile rivals Michele Gumabao of La Salle and Denden Lazaro of Ateneo.

Two of the most fiery and popular players of this generation, Gumabao and Lazaro surrounded themselves with quality talents as they recruited Erika Alkuino, Rose Vargas, Wensh Tiu, Therese Gaston and Iris Patrona, who is billed as a legend in La Salle after powering the Lady Spikers to their first UAAP crown in 1999.