College stars boost PSL all-Pinoy cast

MANILA, Philippines - A big cast of collegiate stars brings their game to the next level as they compete in the 2016 Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference women’s volleyball tournament starting June 18.

Mika Reyes, Cyd Demecillo, Kim Fajardo and Kim Dy, stalwarts of reigning UAAP champion De La Salle University, will banner the new crop of talents who will be campaigning in the league this year.

Open spiker Ara Galang is also expected to join her La Salle teammates although she has yet to decide whether to go through the draft or just enter as a direct hire of F2 Logistics, which will be bannered by the Lady Spikers together with veterans Cha Cruz, Stephanie Mercado and Aby Marano.

Another former Lady Spiker in Carol Cerveza will also see action. She, however, signed up with Grand Prix champion Foton along with University of Santo Tomas stars EJ Laure and Cherry Rondina.

“These La Salle players will not go through the draft because they already played as direct hires of Meralco in the Grand Prix last year,” said PSL president Ramon Suzara. “Same for Laure and Rondina who will enter the league as direct hires of Foton.”

With that, former NCAA MVP CJ Rosario will be expected to hog the limelight when the league holds its third Annual Rookie Draft on May 27 at the third floor lobby of SM Aura in Taguig City.

After making heads turn for Petron, the 6-foot-1 middle blocker looms as the top overall pick while fellow former Arellano stars Danna Henson and Angelica Legacion are also tipped to get top draft positions.

Also expected to be taken in the first round of the three-round affair are Davao standout Mary Grace Berte and former National University playmaker Jocelyn Soliven as well as Renelyn Raterta, Sarina Bulan, Christine Suyao, Marlyn Llagoso, Jerra Mae Pacinio, Gen Casugod, Jonafer San Pedro, Kristine Dave, Loraine Palomar, Eloisa Medina, Sheryl Laborte, Lourdes Patilano and Suzette Salas.