Valdez, Creamline kick off PVL title quest

Games Sunday

(Filoil Flying V Centre, San Juan)

2 p.m. – Tacloban vs PayMaya

4 p.m. – Creamline vs PetroGazz

MANILA, Philippines – Alyssa Valdez and a loaded Creamline squad jumpstarts its ambitious title bid as it clashes with promising newcomer Petro Gazz at the start of the Premier Volleyball League Season Two Reinforced Conference at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City on Sunday.

Valdez has committed to stay for the Cool Smashers at the expense of playing abroad as an import for the whole year, with an eye on spearheading the club’s quest for their very first championship following a couple of third place finishes in last year’s maiden season.

And she will have enough help as the Tai Bundit-mentored squad will parade a talent-laden squad that also included Jia Morado, Risa Sato, Melissa Gohing, Pau Soriano and reigning Binibining Pilipinas Ms. Globe Michele Gumabao, and backstopped by Thai Kuttika Kaewpin and Serbian Nikolina Asceric.

“I’m excited to play because we have a good team,” said Valdez, who missed key games for her mother team last year after suiting up for 3BB Nakornnont in Thailand and Attack Line in Chinese Taipei and the national team.

“We know it is going to be a tough season because all the teams are really strong. But our goal is to win the championship and we will do our best to win it,” she added.

Petro Gazz though isn’t a pushover as it built a team around coach Jerry Yee and veterans Wensh Tiu, Paneng Mercado, Chie Saet, Djanel Cheng, Cai Nepomuceno and Ranya Musa and reinforcements Kadi Kullerkannm of Estonia and Anastasia Trach of Ukraine.

And Yee liked what he is seeing.

“We have a solid core, it’s a matter of putting in practice and finding cohesion at the right time,” said Yee.

Game time is at 4 p.m.

Also scheduled on opening day are PayMaya, formerly PLDT, and the Tacloban Fighting Warays, who collide in initial offering at 2 p.m.

The High Flyers will be coached by Roger Gorayeb and composed of Grethcel Soltones, Gata Pantone, Angelica Cayuna, Jasmine Nabor, Jorelle Singh, Jerrili Malabanan and Alyssa Eroa, all coming from last year’s Open Conference champion Bali Pure.

Gorayeb has added San Sebastian’s Kat Villegas and Joyce Sta. Maria and Far Eastern University’s Czarina Grace Carandang while saying they are finalizing their import selections.

Nes Pamilar will mentor the Fighting Warays, who will be led by reigning NCAA MVP Shola Alvarez and stars of NCAA champion Arellano University headed by Jovielyn Prado, Regine Arocha and Mary Anne Esguerra.

Also suiting up for Tacloban are San Sebastian’s Vira Guillema, University of the East’s Judith Abil and FEU’s Kyle Negrito while acquiring Thai star Patcharee Sangmuang as its lone import.