Valdez banners PLDT in Shakey’s V-League

MANILA, Philippines – The country's best and brightest women's volleyball player headed by Ateneo superstar Alyssa Valdez collide anew as the Shakey's V-League unveils its 12th season with the Open Conference set on April 5 at The Arena in San Juan City.

Valdez, the country's most popular player today who recently led the Ateneo Lady Eagles to a historic UAAP title sweep, will be reunited with former Ateneo coach Roger Gorayeb at PLDT as its spearhead.

"Yes, she will (Valdez) is playing," said Gorayeb, who also coaches the national women's under-23 and Southeast Asian Games-bound senior team in Tuesday’s PSA Forum at the Shakey's Malate.

At PLDT, Valdez will be joined by Rubie de Leon, Suzanne Roces, San Sebastian's Gretchel Soltones, Ateneo's Denden Lazaro, Jem Ferrer and Charo Soriano and National U mainstay Jaja Santiago.

Organizing Sports Vision's Ricky Palou on Tuesday said this conference features some of the strongest rosters he's seen in the league's 12-year existence.

"We have a bigger, better conference this year, perhaps the strongest because the best of the best is here," said Palou.

Truly, there are other strong players to watch out for like Army's Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Jovelyn Gonzaga and Rachelle Ann Daquis, Cagayan Valley's Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Angeli Tabaquero and Marivic Meneses, Meralco's Aby Soriano, Jeushl Wensh Tiu, Steph Mercado and Fille Cainglet-Cayetano.

Other teams participating are Baguio, Fourbees, Navy and Coast Guard.

This early, PLDT, Cagayan Valley and Army are being touted as the title favorites.

"Aside from us, I see Cagayan Valley and Army as title contenders," said PLDT coach Roger Gorayeb.

"We're a team that has been intact for more than two years now and our experience are really plus factors for us," said Cagayan mentor Nes Pamilar, who is out to steer his team to its back-to-back Open title and third overall.

Moying Martelino, also of Sports Vision, said they will use a single-round robin with the top four making the semifinals where they will play another single-round robin with the top two advancing to the best-of-three finals.

Martelino said they decided to shorten the Open Conference a bit because we want to give way for the Asian Under-23 women's championship the country is hosting this May and the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore this June.

"The Shakey's V-League always gives way if we're talking about the country's interest," said Martelino.