POWERHOUSE F2 Logistics gears up for its much-awaited Premier Volleyball League debut against Army while Chery Tiggo kicks off its title-retention drive against Cignal HD in a pair of explosive matches marking the start of the PVL Open Conference on March 16 at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila.
F2 Logistics is bringing its champion squad that ruled the PNVF Champions League via a sweep late last year, with the likes of Major Baron, Kianny Dy and Aby Maraño raring to lead the Cargo Movers to a big start against the veteran-laden Black Mamba Army Lady Troopers bannered by Jovelyn Gonzaga, Honey Rose Tubino and Jem Gutierrez.
Chery Tiggo will go into its 6 p.m. clash with Cignal brimming with confidence despite the absence of Jaja Santiago, who is still playing in Japan, with a solid roster led by Dindin Santiago and Mylene Paat and beefed up by former UST top hitter EJ Laure and role players May Luna, Necelle Gual and Julia Angeles.
Cignal has shored up its lineup with five new recruits, including Ces Molina, Jerrili Malabanan and Ria Meneses.
The Pro Crossovers stunned the fancied Creamline Cool Smashers to win the inaugural pro staging of the league under bubble setup in Ilocos Norte last year but failed to complete their breakthrough season with a loss to the Cargo Movers in the PNVF finals.
Making the second serving of the Open Conference, which drew nine teams, doubly interesting is that it will be held under a compact schedule with the champion to emerge just after four weeks, rendering all matches important and crucial.
Originally set over three months, the shortened calendar is to make way for the training of the national team building up for the Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam in May.
Completing the cast are Creamline, Choco Mucho, BaliPure, Petro Gazz and PLDT.
For the first time in the league’s storied staging, which dates back to 2004, a pool play setup will be employed with Chery Tiggo, F2 Logistics, Choco Mucho, Cignal and Army making up Group A and Group B made up of Creamline, Petro Gazz, PLDT and BaliPure.
