PSL Grand Prix under way

WITH an array of foreign players and introducing a men’s category to be led by movie star-sportsman Richard Gomez, the Philippine Super Liga (PSL) Grand Prix fires off today at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Tweaking the format to appeal to a wider audience, the PSL unveils its second conference with all six teams—Petron, Cagayan Valley, Cignal, PLDT, RC Cola and Philippine Army—parading two imports each.

Petron and Cagayan battle in the first match at 2 p.m. after the 1 p.m., opening rites, while Gomez’s PLDT and Systema collide at 4 p.m. in what is considered as the first commercial volleyball men’s match to be held in the country in a long while.

After playing for the national teams in several sports like fencing, shooting, rowing and karting, Gomez will lead the Speed Boosters as he showcases his talent in a sport he said he has been playing for several years.

“I may have played a lot of sports, but my heart still belongs to volleyball,” said Gomez during a press conference held recently at Wack-Wack Golf and Country Club.

PSL president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said the introduction of the men’s event could be the impetus the sport needs to fully take off in terms of popularity and development.

“We are very happy over the formation of the men’s division and it could be the start of something big for the country’s only semi-professional volleyball league,” said Suzara.

Invitational champ PA-TMS will have Yuki Murakoshi of Japan and Wanitchaya Luangtonglang of Thailand to bolster its already formidable lineup. RC got Zhang Minghua of China and Sontaya Keawbundit of Thailand.

Thai pair Patcharee Saengmuang and Wanida Kotruang will suit up for Cagayan Valley, while Japanese spikers Misao Tanyama and Shinako Tanaka will power Petron.

Cignal will bank on Chinese Zhan Zhan Li and Lei Xie while PLDT-MyDSL will lean on Americans  Kaylee Manns and Savannah Noyes.