PVL groups get heat welcome in Cagayan de Oro

CAGAYAN DE ORO — Defending champion Creamline, PLDT, Akari, and Gerflor obtained a heat welcome from their followers right here forward of their much-anticipated video games on Saturday within the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) second All-Filipino Convention at Aquilino Q. Pimentel Worldwide Conference Heart.

The 4 PVL squads paid a courtesy go to on Mayor Rolando Uy at Cagayan de Oro Metropolis Corridor, the place the league officers and employees led by President Ricky Palou and Chairman Tonyboy Liao had lunch, earlier than taking their time to work together with their followers in a meet and greet.

Creamline, which remained unbeaten in six video games regardless of lacking abroad gamers Jia De Guzman and Ced Domingo, takes on the PLDT at 6 p.m.

Setter Kyle Negrito, who has been embracing a much bigger function this convention, relished their likelihood to go to Cagayan De Oro, which is internet hosting the PVL for the primary time.

“We’re very grateful to get this opportunity to play in several components of the nation,” mentioned Negrito in Filipino as they play their second out-of-town recreation this convention, following their journey to Batangas final month.

WATCH: Akari stars Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Religion Nisperos greeted by the followers outdoors their lodge. #PVL2023 #PVLOnTour | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/zlJF5zdCYk

— INQUIRER Sports activities (@INQUIRERSports) November 17, 2023

The Cool Smashers coach Sherwin Meneses has been profiting from his deep spiker-rotation bannered by Tots Carlos, Michele Gumabao, Alyssa Valdez, Jema Galanza, and Bernadeth Pons. 

Creamline acquired an enormous confidence enhance from the previous six video games together with a lopsided straight-set win over F2 Logistics forward of its marquee duel however Meneses warned that they must be cautious of PLDT led by Savannah Davison.

“These wins actually boosted the staff’s morale however realizing PLDT, they’re a veteran staff and so they have a [talented] Filipino-Canadian spiker so we actually have to organize for them,” the Creamline coach mentioned.

Negrito, who could have a head-to-head in opposition to veteran PLDT setter Rhea Dimaculangan, vows to proceed giving her greatest for the Cool Smashers as their fundamental playmaker all through the convention, filling within the large footwear of De Guzman, who’s enjoying for Denso in Japan V.League.

“My mindset is at all times to provide my greatest, assist my spikers, and execute our system,” she mentioned.

PLDT, additionally bannered by center blockers Mika Reyes and Dell Palomata, tries to rise from a four-set loss to Chery Tiggo final week and enhance its 5-2 report in fifth place.

In the meantime, Akari, which holds a 3-4 report in eighth place, seeks to finish a three-game skid and keep in semifinal competition in opposition to the embattled Gerflor (0-7).

Akari coach Jorge Souza de Brito hopes to regain its successful methods as he continues to instill his system within the younger core gamers Religion Nisperos, Erika Raagas, Fifi Sharma, setter Michelle Cobb, and libero Justine Jazareño together with veterans Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Bang Pineda.

Life goes on for the also-ran Defenders, who’re nonetheless going through monetary points with their administration and underneath investigation by the PVL, as Jeanette Villareal, Menchie Tubiera, AJ Jingco, and Danika Gendrauli proceed to hunt for his or her breakthrough win.