All teams strut wares in Super Liga opener

MANILA, Philippines - Three matches will kick off the Philippine SuperLiga Sunday with six teams vying for the inaugural crown of the country’s first club league at the Philsports Arena.

Shanrit Wongprasert, executive vice president of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) for the Southeast Asian Zone, will grace the grand opening of the league serving as the venue for the country’s leading players who have completed their stints with their respective collegiate leagues.

A draw to determine the initial pairings will be held before Wongprasert joins PSL officials, to be led by Ramon Suzara, PSL president and chairman of the AVC Development and Marketing Committee; and Philip Ella Juico, PSL chairman and former chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, in a press conference set at 1:30 p.m. today at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club.

The club league was officially launched last night at the 7th High in Bonifacio Global City. The event was highlighted by a sports fashion show put up by Solar Sports which featured the athletes in their best form.

Six teams are taking part in the PSL’s debut tournament, including Cignal, Petron, PLDT (Philippine Long Distance Telephone), Cagayan Valley, PCSO-Bingo Milyonaryo and Philippine Army.

Petron will be bannered by Ateneo stars Gretchen Jo and Charo Soriano with former UST ace and national team member Roxanne Pimentel as skipper. Vilet Ponce-de Leon was named Petron coach.

Bingo Milyonaryo will be led by La Salle ace Ivy Remulla, along with fellow Archers Michelle Gumabao, Maureen Penetrante and Stephanie Mercado, daughter of the Asia’s former track queen Lydia De Vega-Mercado. DLSU mentor Ronald Dulay coaches the team.

Cignal will have Venus Bernal (UST), Michelle Datuin (DLSU and a commercial model) and Jennelyn Reyes (NU) helping coach Sammy Acayler, who is the current mentor of Perpetual Help.

Lou Ann Catigay (San Sebastian) will skipper PLDT-MyDSL with support from the likes of Pau Soriano (Adamson), Laurence Latigay (SSC-R), Lislee Ann Patone (ADU) and with Francis Vicente (formerly of NU) as coach.

Cagayan Valley will be led by Wendy Semanda (FEU),  Jheck Dionela and Royce Tubino (both of Perpetual Help) and will be coached by Nes Pamillar (formerly of FEU).

The Philippine Army-TMS Shipping will be composed of national team veterans Mary Jane Balse (UST), the Carolino Sisters-- Michelle and Marietta (Letran), skipper Joanne Bunag and coach Rico de Guzman.

SportsCore, the group behind the formation of the PSL,  is giving away free tickets for the opening ceremony at the Philsports Arena. Fans could avail of the free tickets at the SportsCore office, Unit 220 Cityland Vito Cruz Tower I, Vito Cruz Street, Malate, Manila or they can call tel. No. 353-3935 for details.