PRESEASON favorites Petron and Philips Gold collide today while Cignal and Foton clash in the other match in the Philippine Superliga All Filipino Conference opener at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Heavy with big-name stars, the Blaze Spikers hope to translate their lineup into one fighting unit when they clash with the Lady Slammers at 4:30 p.m.
Heavily-revamped Cignal will take on Foton at 2:30 p.m. after the opening rites where the players will parade dressed in skorts—skirts with a pair of shorts hidden underneath that were first introduced by the Brazilian women’s team.
Petron doubled up on firepower after it acquired certified scorers Aby Marano from Generika and Rachel Daquis from Army, to add to a lineup built around last year’s top rookie Dindin Santiago-Manabat.
But such strong roster could create teamwork issues, something Philips Gold manager Eric Anthony Ty said they have no problem dealing with.
“Here the pecking order is well established,” said Ty referring to the Lady Slammers who will be bannered by former La Salle star Michele Gumabao. “With other teams, they might need more than one ball.”
But Petron coach George Posadas said he trusts Marano, Daquis and Manabat—all former A-1 players from their previous teams—to work together under one direction.
“I trust my players. We have the talent and the system in place,” added Posadas.
The Blaze Spikers and the Lady Slammers will also unveil touted Fil-American rookies Alexa Micek and Iris Tolenada, respectively.
Almost pushed to the back burner were the HD Spikers who will display rookies Rica Enclona and Diane Ticar. They will also have former University of Santo Tomas stalwart Carmela Tunay and San Sebastian alumni Charisse Ancheta.