Superliga offers berths in Asian championships

Games tomorrow (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

1 p.m. – Opening ceremonies

2 p.m. – Cignal vs RC Cola

4 p.m. – Generika vs Petron

MANILA, Philippines - The stakes in the foreign-flavored 2014 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix presented by Asics got even higher as the champions in the women’s and men’s divisions will earn tickets to the 2015 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Club Championship in China and Kazakhstan, respectively.

“The champion will represent the Philippines in the Asian Club Championship next year. That’s the basis for this championship,” PSL chairman Philip Ella Juico announced in yesterday’s press conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum lobby.

“We’re not just here to keep busy but to serve a higher purpose – fulfill national commitment and promote volleyball as a global sport,” he added in the event also attended by PSL president Tats Suzara, Asics marketing director for Asia Kenjie Ong, and commissioner Ian Laurel. 

The PSL GP kicks off tomorrow at the Big Dome with RC Cola and Petron tipped as favorites, owing to their intact rosters and powerful “overseas players.”

The RC Cola Raiders aim to make it all the way this time after placing second in the previous conference with former national player Rhovyl Verayo coming in as new coach and seasoned international campaigners Emily Brown and Bonita Wise beefing up the squad.

For their part, the Blaze Spikers will parade top pick Dindin Santiago, Gretchen Ho and Carmina Aganon who will be reinforced by Brazilian setter Erica Adachi and Alaina Bergsma, a former Miss Oregon.

“Maganda ang tsansa namin dahil kumpleto pa rin ang team na nag-second last conference. Maganda rin ang samahan at nag-jell ang mga imports sa local players (We feel we have a good chance because of our intact line up and chemistry between the imports and local players),” said Verayo.

“The team is very promising. I hope I can help them in reaching the finals,” said Bergsma, who is expected to win the hearts of Pinoy fans with her beauty and spiking skills.