Volley-fest of World’s best unfolds

PSL-F2 Logistics opens bid vs American champs

MANILA, Philippines - Local aces get a taste of world-class volley competition as PSL-F2 Logistics Manila tangles with South American champion Rexona-Sesc Rio today at the start of the star-studded FIVB Women’s Club World Championship presented by PLDT at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.

Skipper Rachel Ann Daquis, Jaja Santiago, Kim Fajardo, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Jen Reyes, Frances Molina and Mika Reyes will banner the local side that will be backstopped by Americans Stephanie Niemer and Lindsay Stalzer, Puerto Rican Lynda Morales, Ukrainian Yevgeniya Nyukhalova, Russian Ekaterina Krivets, Thai Tichaya Boonlert and Japanese Yuri Fukuda in what promises to be a slam-bang opener of the championship.

Serbian Moro Branislav will coach the host squad against the fancied Brazilians in their 6:30 p.m. encounter.

Daquis said it’s great experience to play against some of the best in the world and the local aces hope to buck the pressure and deliver what is expected of them throughout the week-long, eight-team competition.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance and we promise to give it all our best,” said Daquis in yesterday’s event launch at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.

“There is pressure. We’re playing against the best players in the world,” added Daquis. “But we’re really excited to play against them. This will be a great experience for us and we will use it for our future games.”

Sen. Manny Pacquiao and Philippine Sports Commission chair William Ramirez were also invited to the event organized by the PSL and Eventcourt with TV5, Petron, Asics, BMW and F2 Logistics as sponsors, Diamond Hotel as official residence and Turkish Airlines as official airlines.

The event, also backed by the PSC, Rexona, MOA Arena, Foton and Price Waterhouse Cooper, features the best club teams in the world, including Rexona-Sesc Rio, the 11-time Brazilian Superliga and reigning South American champion.

After crashing out of the medal podium in last year’s edition in Zurich, the Brazilian side is out for redemption with legendary coach Bernardo Rezende vowing to put up a solid campaign this week.

Rexona-Sesc Rio boosted its offense as it drafted Dutch winger Anne Bujis to power the already competitive core of Olympians Gabi Guimaraes, Juicely Silva and Fabi Oliveira, who was with Pomi Casalmaggiore when it won a silver medal in this world tourney in 2013.

“I have a libero who is a 2-time Olympic gold medalist in Fabi,” said Rezende. “But this is a very tough competition. Our chances may not be that high, but we will try our best.”

Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul, meanwhile, kicks off its bid for history against Pomi Casalmaggiore at 4:30 p.m. After winning the crown last year, the Turkish club will be coming with a star-studded roster of Olympians Tijana Boskovic of Serbia, Thaisa Menezes of Brazil, Tatiana Kosheleva of Russia and Jordan Larson of United States as it tries to become the first club to win back-to-back titles.

Meanwhile, Olympic gold medalist Zhu Ting and VakifBank Istanbul take on Hisamitsu Springs Kobe at 10 a.m. followed by the clash between Volero Zurich and Asian titlist Bangkok Glass at 1 p.m.

International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) honorary president Wei Jizhong, Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) secretary general Shanrit Wongprasert, FIVB executive council member Stav Jacobi and Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. officials will grace the opening ceremony.