Ace spikers, imports spice up Superliga GPrix

MANILA, Philippines - The 2015 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix unwraps on Oct. 10 with an elite cast of past winners, ace spikers and talented imports seeing action at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.

Bannered by reigning titlist Petron, the upcoming tournament promises to be bigger, more explosive than ever with six teams already confirmed to play while two more top firms expected to join the country’s premier inter-club women’s volleyball league.

The Blaze Spikers will be challenged by Cignal, Foton, Meralco-DLSU, Philips Gold and RC Cola-Air Force, which is making a return after taking a one-year break following the mandatory military training of its players.

Three-time champion Philippine Army is also tipped to make a comeback, setting up an exciting duel with the Blaze Spikers, who won the crown the past two conferences.

The Lady Troopers, however, have yet to formalize their entry as they have yet to decide what brand they will carry with two giant companies locked in a tight race for sponsorship.

“This is getting more intense, more competitive,” said PSL president Tats Suzara. “Major companies want to be represented and they will do whatever they can to build the strongest team possible. So far, we already have six. But two, or possibly three more equally strong teams are coming to spice up the tournament.”

The Blaze Spikers, who will be seeing action in the Asian Women’s Club Championship in Ha Nam Vietnam from Sept. 12 to 20 will be bringing back pretty setter Erica Adachi together with fellow Brazilian Rupia Inck, a 6-foot stunner who campaigned for the Brazilian juniors team before competing for Fresno State University in the Division I of the US NCAA.

Another pretty face in Lindsay Stalzer of the United States will be making a return and is tipped to give equally powerful imports from Brazil, Puerto Rico, Italy and Cuba a serious challenge.

Stalzer campaigned for Cignal in the previous Grand Prix, but this time, she will don the jersey of Foton to power local aces like Angeli Arantea, Bea Tan, Nicole Tiamzon, Patty Orendain and beach volley specialist Fiola Ceballos.

“The world’s prettiest and strongest imports will be coming for the Grand Prix,” Suzara said. “Their presence will surely boost the morale of our locals and increase the level of competition to make it better, more exciting than ever.”