Tight race seen as Shakey’s V-L Reinforced tilt unwraps

MANILA, Philippines - Although some of the teams parade an all-Pinoy crew, coaches still expect a competitive showdown when the Shakey’s V-League Reinforced Conference blasts off today at the PhilSports Arena.

“I think everybody’s strong this conference. In our team, we don’t take anyone lightly and we always give it 100 percent. Everybody’s the team to beat for us,” said Pocari Sweat coach Rommel Abella, whose wards seek to follow up their Open Conference romp with the championship in the season-ending tournament sponsored by Shakey’s.

“Lahat ng teams this conference competitive, walang mahina, puro malakas at naghanda lahat so walang pwedeng i-underestimate ( All teams are competitive, no easy team to beat. they have prepared well and yoiu can’t underestimate any) ,” said Jasper Jimenez of Air Force, which finished second to Pocari Sweat in the recent Open Conference and one of the teams competing without an import.

“We work double time because we don’t have imports,” added Jimenez during yesterday’s launch of the import-flavored tourney graced by organizing Sports Vision’s Ricky Palou and Tony Boy Liao, ABS-CBN Integrated Sports head Dino Laurena and Shakey’s marketing manager Ghena Austero.

Hostilities begin with a double header today pitting Coast Guard with Laoag at 4 p.m. and Air Force versus UST at 6 p.m.

“The players of Team Laoag are seasoned players so jelling won’t be much of a problem,” said Laoag’s Nes Pamilar.

“We have nothing to lose and everything to gain in this tournament as we’re preparing for the UAAP, which we’re hosting,” said Tigresses assistant Ian Fernandez.

Also on tap is the Spikers’ Turf Season 2 Reinforced Conference with six teams, headed by defending champion Air Force, clashing for the crown.

Others in the fold are Cignal, Sta. Elena Construction, Instituto Estetico Manila, Army and newcomer 100 Plus.

Air Force and 100 Plus clash in the lone opening day match at 12:30 p.m.

The Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors will again anchor their bid on Michele Gumabao and Myla Pablo and foreign players Andrea Kacsits and Breanna Mackie against the PAF, Alyssa Valdez-led Bureau of Customs, Philippine Coast Guard, Laoag, UP Lady Maroons, UST Tigresses and Bali Pure.

Valdez, formerly of 2015 titlist PLDT, joins forces this time with Thai reinforcements Kanjana Kuthasong and Natanicha Jaisen for her new team BOC Transformers. It’s Valdez’s first time to play opposite her Ateneo teammates, who don the Bali Pure colors.

“It’s kinda new for me to be apart with my college teammates. It’s gonna be exciting for sure; we’ll learn a lot from this experience as competitors. Looking forward to a healthy competition,” said Valdez.

The Tai Bundit-coached Water Defenders have tapped Americans Kaylee Manns and Katharine Morrell to beef up their Atenean spikers and Suzanne Roces, a former MVP in the league backed by Mikasa as official ball and Accel as official outfitter.

2016 SVP Open Conference MVP Grethcel Soltones banners Laoag Power Smashers; Joy Cases leads PAF; Kamille Ogane takes the lead for Coast Guard; and college stars Isa Molde and Cherry Rondina spearhead UP and UST, respectively.