Superliga: RC Cola-Army tackles Foton as 2 new clubs make debut

FILE — RC Cola. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Returning former champion team RC Cola-Army will meet Foton while new clubs F2 Logistics and New San Jose Builders collide when the Philippine Superliga Invitational Cup kicks off today at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Lady Troopers, who won the league’s first three conferences but took a leave of absence for a year, will try to bring back their winning tradition against the Toplanders, whose core comes from last year’s Grand Prix champion team.

“The league is stronger now and we have to prove ourselves,” said Army assistant coach Rico de Guzman.

“Our focus is to develop our individual skills, there are a lot of good players in the league but now we have Rachel Daquis with us,” said Army team captain Jovelyn Gonzaga.

F2 Logistics will bank on Cha Cruz and Aby Marano against New San Jose Builders, which will lean on collegiate players coming mostly from Perpetual.

“The challenge for us is to play at the same level as the other teams considering that we are 100 percent collegiate team with some players from La Salle-Dasmariñas and EAC (Emilio Aguinaldo College),” said NSJB Victorias’ coach Ken Molleno.

Cruz said the Cargo Movers have been training for weeks although they have yet to train as a complete team.

PSL president Ramon “Tats” Suzara assured that the six teams, including a revamped Petron and Cignal, are balanced in terms of talent and skills.

Patricia Bermudez-Hizon, head of broadcast partner Sports5, said they will make sure they give all the players a chance to shine by not only covering the games but also giving them exposure through the network’s different platforms.

“You don’t have to do so much if the quality of games is there,” she said. “At the end of the day it’s how great the competition is, it’s about capturing it.”