Six matches each with its own storylines make up the PVL’s new year opener for its 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference. Here’s what you can expect.
After a month-long break, the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference will finally resume with a stacked pair of tripleheaders at the Philsports Arena to welcome the new year. The Farm Fresh Foxies and Nxled Chameleons are expected to kick off the games, with the first serve set for this Saturday afternoon, January 18, at the Philsports Arena.
Along with a much-anticipated comeback, these matchups have a share of underlying storylines from star duels, to a preview of what’s to come with their retooled rosters.
Ahead of the first serve, here’s what you can expect from the PVL’s New Year treat.
Farm Fresh Foxies (2-3) vs. Nxled Chameleons (0-5)
It’s a tale of contrasts for curtain raisers Farm Fresh and Nxled. Farm Fresh hopes to build on the promise it has shown early on, while Nxled looks to get its first win under Italian coach Ettore Guidetti.
Trisha Tubu has led the Foxies’ 2-3 start to the conference and is currently the fourth-best scorer with 109 points behind Savi Davison (119 points), Brooke Van Sickle (131 points), and league leader Sisi Rondina with 134. Nxled, meanwhile, has leaned on ninth-leading scorer Chiara Permentilla (87 points) in its bid to get a much-need breakthrough.
While nothing is set in stone, this could also mark the debuts of Rachel Anne Daquis, Jolina Dela Cruz, and Lorene Toring for the Foxies, along with EJ Laure for the Chameleons.
ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles (2-3) vs. Choco Mucho Flying Titans (3-3)
After a narrow five-set loss to Creamline last December, ZUS is in for another acid test this January 18 against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans. A bright core led by rookie Thea Gagate and veteran Jov Gonzaga is now in place within ZUS, so an upset or two moving forward wouldn’t come as a surprise anymore.
Meanwhile, Sisi Rondina and the Flying Titans have been inconsistent early into their redemption tour. Rondina and Kat Tolentino have been among their bright spots, but key losses including Japan-bound Maddie Madayag have impacted the Titans’ hunt for consistency.
Perhaps spoiling ZUS Coffee’s rise to contention can serve as a motivating brew for the Dante Alinsunurin-coached Choco Mucho.
Akari Chargers (3-3) vs. PLDT High-Speed Hitters (3-2)
Five months after the controversial “net touch” challenge, the Akari Chargers and PLDT High Speed Hitters will finally lock horns in the All-Filipino Conference. Sure, both camps may refuse to dwell on the issue, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see some tension come game time.
It’s also a matter of starting off 2025 on the right foot given how they ended 2024. Akari’s 2-0 start last year was quickly followed by three-straight set losses to Creamline, Farm Fresh, and Petro Gazz before a year-ending win against Chery Tiggo dampened the bleeding.
It’s a similar story for PLDT, who incurred two straight losses to Chery Tiggo and Petro Gazz to finish 2024. So really, it’s also a matter of using this emotionally-charged matchup as a springboard for more stable performances for either squad.
Galeries Tower Highrisers (1-5) vs. Cignal HD Spikers (4-1)
Cignal’s January 21 game against Galeries Tower is a preview of things to come following the departure of Ces Molina and Riri Meneses over the holidays. While the HD Spikers currently sit at third with a 4-1 slate, it remains to be seen how the likes of Gel Cayuna, Vanie Gandler, and Dawn Macandili-Catindig can build on a solid start amid another set of key losses.
For their part, Galeries Tower has settled with a share of moral victories early into the All-Filipino Conference, which includes close games against Choco Mucho and Chery Tiggo. Now, can the Julia Coronel-led Highrisers get the job done against Cignal? Or will it be a crucial win for the HD Spikers amid an unfortunate case of personnel shortage?
Capital1 Solar Spikers (1-4) vs. Creamline Cool Smashers (4-0)
It’s a battle between youth and experience when the Capital1 Solar Spikers meet Creamline’s championship core. Creamline hopes to extend its unblemished run to five, while Capital1 looks for an elusive win number two along with picking up lessons for its revamped core of players.
Capital1’s inexperience has been highlighted early into the conference, which includes a share of winnable sets in their matches against Choco Mucho and Chery Tiggo. Leila Cruz and Roma Doromal continue to lead the Solar Spikers’ youth brigade, accompanied by veterans including Iris Tolenada, returning Heather Guino-o, and skipper Jorelle Singh.
Creamline, for the most part, has been a steady force in their 4-0 start led by Jema Galanza and the MVP pairing of Michele Gumabao and Bernadeth Pons. And of course, there’s Alyssa Valdez, who has been used as a closer by head coach Sherwin Meneses in her continued return to form.
Petro Gazz Angels (5-1) vs. Chery Tiggo Crossovers (4-2)
Petro Gazz’s November loss to Creamline in Antipolo was followed by a four-game tear led by Brooke Van Sickle and a vintage Myla Pablo. Save for PLDT last December 10, Petro Gazz’s victories have all come in straight sets as they’ve clicked as one cohesive unit under head coach Koji Tsuzurabara.
Standing in their way is the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, a streaky yet intriguing team after losing the Laure sisters and libero Buding Duremdes in the offseason. Among others, there’s the duo of Ara Galang and Cess Robles, whose offensive tandem has kept the depleted Crossovers afloat.
In line with recent developments, this game could also see the debut of Risa Sato, the former Creamline middle blocker who transferred to Chery Tiggo after six years and 11 titles with the Cool Smashers.
After these tripleheaders, the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference will revert back to its usual two-game slate every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday until the preliminary rounds conclude this February 22 at Passi City, Iloilo.
Images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.