Shakey’s V-League ‘Open’ draws all-star cast

MANILA, Philippines - All but one of the 10 most popular players in the Shakey’s V-League first 10 years are seeing action in the Open Conference, giving it an all-star touch and guaranteeing an all-out war when it is held beginning Sunday at The Arena in San Juan City.

Eight teams will slug it out for this conference’s crown with fancied Army and Smart-Maynilad heading the elite roster that includes Cagayan Province, Meralco, Air Force, Navy, Philippine National Police and Far Eastern U.

Nene Bautista, MJ Balse, Rachel Anne Daquis and Michelle Carolino will banner the star-studded Army squad, which ruled this conference in 2011 with Daquis running away with the Finals MVP crown. The Troopers also boast of Patricia SIatan-Torres, Genie Sabas, Joanne Buñag, Marietta Carolino, Jacqueline Alarca, Cristina Salak, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Dahlia Cruz, Angela Nuñag, and Ma. Therea Iratay, easily making it the team to beat this conference.

But Smart-Maynilad is also parading a strong roster with current and former Ateneo stars making up the core – Alyssa Valdez, Sue Roces and Charo Soriano. Add Maru Banaticla, Melissa Gohing, Mica Guliman and Gretchel Soltones into the mix plus two of the league’s top setters in Rubie de Leon and Jem Ferrer, Army is indeed in for a tough outing.

Cagayan Province, which finished runner-up to last year’s champion San Sebastian-Sandugo, is out to complete an unfinished business on a team built around former UST aces Aiza Maizo and Angeli Tabaquero with Angelique Dionela, Rosemarie Vargas, Leuseht Dawis, Sandra de los Santos, Joy Benito, Wenneth Eulalio, Kannika Thipachot and ace setter Relea Saet completing the equally talented side.

Past conference and finals MVPs are also in the fold, including Maureen Penetrante-Ouano (Meralco), Rhea Dimaculangan (Air Force), Ferrer and De los Santos, thus making it a star-studded conference.

Penetrante-Ouano will spearhead Meralco’s bid along with guest players and former La Salle stalwarts Stephanie Mercade and Ivy Remulla, former Ateneo star Fille Cainglet, National U’s ace setter Jennylyn Reyes, Zharmaine Velez, Karla Bello and April Jose.

Dimaculangan, skipper Liza de Ramos and former UST mainstays Maika Ortiz and Judy Ann Caballejo will lead Air Force that also includes veteran campaigners Joy Cases, Iari Yongco, Wendy Semana and Jennifer Manzano.

Navy will be led by Michelle Laborte, Abigail Praca, Janeth Serafica and Czarina Reyes while Michelle Datuin and Jill Gustilo head PNP’s bid in the tournament sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and organized by Sports Vision.

FEU, composed of Christine Agno, Bernadeth Pons, Marie Simborio, Marie Basas, Faith Torres and Genevieve Casugod, is fielding in a team toughening up for the UAAP wars with hopes of pulling off a surprise or two against the league’s fancied teams.