F2 signs Japanese libero as third import

MANILA, Philippines — Defending its title will not be a walk in the park, but F2 Logistics vowed to go all out when the Philippine Superliga (PSL) fires off on Feb. 17.

 

Team manager Hollie Reyes stressed that they’re almost ready for the brand-new edition of the import-flavored conference after reaching an agreement with Japanese libero Minami Yoshioka.

 

One of the league’s best backline defenders the previous season, Yoshioka reached an agreement with the Cargo Movers last week, putting her on the same squad with reigning Most Valuable Player Jose Maria Perez of Venezuela and Kennedy Bryan of the United States.

 

She is set to arrive this week.

 

“Yes, we already have an agreement and she will arrive this week,” said Reyes, adding that Yoshioka’s arrival is a welcome development following the departure of liberos Dawn Macandili and CJ Saga to De La Salle University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

 

“As you know, we lost our liberos – Dawn and CJ – to the UAAP. We’re a defense-oriented team and coach Ramil (de Jesus) wants our third import to be a libero. We’re looking forward to having Min-min (Yoshioka) on board.”

 

With Yoshioka already in, the starting unit of the Cargo Movers is now solid.

 

National team member Kim Fajardo will be the starting setter while Perez and the returning Ara Galang will man the open spiker spot.

 

Bryan, of course, will replace Kim Dy at the opposite while another national team star in Aby Marano and Cherry Nunag will take turns in patrolling the middle.

 

Reyes, however, admitted that the road back to the crown is getting very rocky with Cocolife making tremendous upgrade while Petron parading the same nucleus that made it successful last year.

 

Cocolife acquired former Foton coach Moro Branislav and import Sara Klisura as well as high-scoring Honey Royse Tubino while bringing back Taylor Milton and the core of Mary Jean Balse, Nerissa Bautista, Jane Gonzales, Denden Lazaro and Joanne Bunag.

 

Petron, on the other hand, will still parade the troika of Lindsay Stalzer, Hillary Hurley and Yuri Fukuda while Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Ces Molina, Mika Reyes and Rhea Dimaculangan will be back for another tour of duty.

 

“The PSL Grand Prix just got tougher, but I think we can manage,” said Reyes. “We are the defending champion so we have to live above expectations.”