Will PLDT return to the PSL?

MANILA, Philippines — It appears that PLDT is making a return to the Philippine Superliga (PSL) for the import-flavored Grand Prix that kicks off on Feb. 17.

 

According to multiple sources, the company will field a team in the PSL to complete an emotional return after four years of absence.

 

No significant information is available as of posting time, but those in the know revealed that seasoned head coach Ronald Dulay will be at the helm with Zenaida Chavez -- the Most Valuable Player of the 1993 Southeast Asian Games -- serving as his chief deputy.

 

The insiders revealed that Dulay is already finalizing the composition of the team, which would be a mixture of young players and seasoned campaigners with an Olympian reinforcement and another from either Japan or Thailand.

 

The team is set to make its first public appearance in the PSL Fans’ Day set on Saturday at the event hall of Il Centro Sta. Lucia in Cainta.

 

Also joining the Fans’ Day are players from seven other PSL teams like Petron, Foton, Cignal, F2 Logistics, Sta. Lucia Realty, Generika-Ayala and Cocolife, which is looming as the team to beat following a massive overhaul in the off-season.

 

“PLDT will be there so it’s up for the fans to find out the complete composition of the team,” said the source, adding that no less than industrialist Manny Pangilinan who reportedly gave the company the marching order to join the PSL.

 

Aside from PLDT, Pangilinan also owns Cignal and ESPN5, the league’s official broadcast partner.

 

PLDT is one of the league’s six pioneer teams.

 

The squad finished 5th in the Invitational Conference in 2013 before advancing to the semifinals of the Grand Prix with Americans Kaylee Manns and Savannah Noyes serving as imports.

 

It returned the following year for the All-Filipino Conference with Sue Roces, Maruja Banaticla, Louann Latigay, Lizlee Ann Pantone and Jem Ferrer as notable players, leading the squad to another semifinal finish.

 

It, however, proved to be its final stand.

 

PLDT moved to Shakey’s V-League and had some measures of success as its rivalry with the Lady Troopers became very memorable to local fans.